The WIT Building

The Wit Building was built in 1925 by I. Wit Realty Co. as a 2-story masonry structure with a plate glass and aluminum storefront.

Since 1925, a number of retail businesses occupied the building, including shoe stores, clothing shops, book stores and cultural centers and performance arts venues.

For decades the tile-sheathed upper-story was used as a billboard sized sign for the 1st-story store. During the rehabilitation project, Cornish restored the 2nd story glass storefront.

The redevelopment project was led by the team at Union Studios Architects. As part of the transformation, the WIT building was joined at a shared party wall with the neighboring Lapham Building on the 2nd story, allowing for passage between the two buildings on the upper level. Today the building has 4,319 square feet of office space on the 2nd story and 3,584 square feet of commercial retail space on the ground floor.

- Use
- Commercial
- Built
- 1925
- Project Completion
- 2021
- Architect
- Union Studios Architects
- Commercial SF
- 7,903

The History of The WIT Building

1925

The WIT building is built in 1925, welcoming the first business to open in the new building, Traveler's Shoe Store.

1930

I. WIT Realty Co. takes total ownership of the property and the building.

1932

Jeans Inc,. signs a lease for the ground floor and basement of the WIT Building.

1933

Jean's fashion department store opens in the WIT Building and remains in operation in this location for over 4 decades.

1943

The I. WIT Realty Co. transfers ownership of the building and parcel to Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Co.

c. 1950

Shop keeper decorates the Jean's building for the holiday season.

1975

Jean's Store continues its operations in the WIT Building during the days of the Westminster Mall pedestrian thruway.

1979

Morris Zimmerman, at the age of 84, after 48 years in business in the WIT Building, decides to close the store and sell the building to Joseph R. Paolino.

1980

Discussions of a large book retailer signing a 10 year lease on the building are in the works.

1991

The building was sold at public auction.

1997

Future Fitness, a 'California style' health club opens at 276 Westminster.

2002

The Providence Black Repertory Company purchases the property, making the WIT Building the first black-owned commercial property in downtown Providence.

2009

The Providence Black Repertory Company files for receivership in 2009 with the property reverting back to the ownership of the Providence Economic Development Partnership.

2010-2013

The non-profit arts group, Roots Café takes over the building and ownership from the Providence Economic Development Partnership.

2013

Cornish Associates purchases the building from the then owners of the Roots Cultural Center.

2014-2017

The team at Cornish, awaiting plans for redevelopment, open Aurora in the WIT building. Aurora becomes a well loved cultural center offering space for live music, theater, conferences, private rentals and more.