The Lapham Building

The Lapham Building was built in 1903 by Hoppin & Ely Architects. The nine-story, L-shaped, brick-sheathed building was originally built as an office building by the heirs of Benjamin N. Lapham.

Ownership changed hands many times following its construction, often with the hopes of converting the originally commercial property to residential use.

Purchased by Cornish Associates in 2014, renovations were completed on the Lapham Building in 2021. The project was led by the team at Union Studios Architects. At its completion, the renovated building offers 8,423 square feet of commercial retail and office space on the first two stories, along with 35 apartments on stories 3-9.

- Use
- Residential, Commercial
- Built
- 1903
- Project Completion
- 2021
- Architects
- Hoppin & Ely Architects, Union Studios Architects
- Commercial SF
- 8,423
- Residential Units
- 35

The History of The Lapham Building

1904

Plans are underway to build the 8-story Lapham Building, including leasing out of future commercial space.

1904

The Lapham Building is built by Hoppin & Ely Architects. An additional 9th story is added to the plans for the L-shaped, brick-sheathed building. The original building was intended for offices and was owned by the heirs of Benjamin N. Lapham.

1945

The building is purchased by Kevie and Nettie Carmen, Reuben and Rachael Lipson and Benjamin Kane from the Lapham real Estate Co.

1977

The building is purchased by Pat Siravo who presents plans to convert the property’s upper floors for residential use.

1979

Downtown developer Henry Kates purchases the building with his own plans to convert into residential.

1987

Former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci purchases the building, Kates Properties Inc. stays on as property management.

1999

The building is bought by Pierre de Bourgknecht with new plans to convert the property to residential.

2013

Downtown developer Vince Geoffroy purchases the building.

2014

The building is purchased by Cornish Associates.

2018

Cornish Associates shares the plans for adaptive reuse of the building.

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2021

Cornish Associates, led by the team at Union Studios Architects, completed the renovations, creating commercial space on the first two stories and 35 apartments on stories three through nine.