The Trayne Building

The 5-story Trayne Building was built with its showpiece facade for Alice B. Trayne, Elizabeth Trayne and Annie B. Hale as investment property for these women and their heirs. It remained in their families until 1952. Today the original structure sits above the second-story.

The building is the former home of the Roger Williams Office of Old Colony-Newport National Bank.

In 2014, Cornish Associates purchased the building and was led by the team at Union Studios Architects in the renovations, including an addition to the east side of the building, extending approximately 20 feet into the adjacent Grant’s Block park.

The new footprint includes 4,098 square feet of commercial retail space and 17 apartments on the second through the fifth-story.

- Use
- Residential, Commercial
- Built
- 1893, 1954
- Project Completion
- 2021
- Architect
- Union Studios Architects
- Commercial SF
- 4,098
- Residential Units
- 17

The History of The Trayne Building

1893-1894

The Trayne Building is built as a showpiece facade for Alice B. Trayne, Elizabeth Trayne and Annie. B. Hale.

1896 TRAYNE BUILDING - PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

1893-1912

Businesses move into the building, announcing their new addresses in the local paper. Tenants enjoy the prominent address, located directly adjacent to the new Keith’s Theater.

1906

The Trayne Building sits adjacent to the popular Kieth's Theater.

1939

Sterling's shop opens on the ground floor of the building and is in operation in this location through the early 1950's.

1952

The property is purchased by Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Association. The first story is used for banking, with stories 2 and 5 for bank offices and stories 3-4 leased out to other businesses.

1954

The contractor, A.C. Beals Co begins large-scale renovations to the building in preparation for Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Association’s occupancy.

1970

Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Association consolidates with Old Colony Cooperative Bank who open in the building.

1974

Newport National Bank replaces the Roger Williams Savings Fund on the ground floor of the building.

1984

Secretary of State Susan L. Farmer moves two of her offices into the buildings, taking over the former Old Colony Cooperative Bank space.

1986

The building is purchased by Kates Properties who move their offices from the adjacent Lapham Building to the Trayne Building

1987

Kates Properties sells the building to George Haseotes, an investor out of Boston.

1989

T.W. Rounds, a downtown landmark luggage shop, relocates to the Trayne Building

2014

Cornish purchases the property and commences with plans for renovations.

2018

Cornish , led by the team at Union Studios Architects, begin renovations and construction on the Tryane Building and the adjacent WIT and Lapham Buildings.

2022

Cornish and Union Studios Architects are recognized by Providence Preservation Society with the Commercial Rehabilitation Award for their work on the Trayne Building.