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Renaissance Providence Hotel

Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode IslandClubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode IslandFormer Masonic buildings in Rhode IslandHotels in Rhode IslandNational Register of Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island
Renaissance Hotels
Masonic Temple Providence, Rhode Island
Masonic Temple Providence, Rhode Island

The Renaissance Providence Hotel (historically known as the Mason Building, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places under Masonic Temple) — is one of two monumental buildings in central Providence, Rhode Island, US, that remained unfinished and were then abandoned for decades. Originally intended as a meeting hall for the Freemasons, construction work began in 1927, but was halted in 1929 as a result of the financial crisis of that year. With the outbreak of World War II, construction was halted permanently. It was added (under the name "Masonic Temple") to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, along with the adjacent Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Renaissance Providence Hotel (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Renaissance Providence Hotel
Francis Street, Providence

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Latitude Longitude
N 41.83 ° E -71.416666666667 °
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Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel

Francis Street
02902 Providence
Rhode Island, United States
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Masonic Temple Providence, Rhode Island
Masonic Temple Providence, Rhode Island
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Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Providence, Rhode Island)
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Providence, Rhode Island)

Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS; formerly VMA) is a performing arts theater in Providence, Rhode Island. Construction began in 1928 but was delayed by the Great Depression. The theater was finally completed in 1950. The adjacent Performing Arts Complex was erected in 1970 and is partially owned by the Veterans' Memorial Foundation. A 1940 article on the venue noted that, "of the 26 fires that have occurred at The Vets, a majority of them occurred inside the building and remained completely unscathed." According to the article, the fire marshal has noted that fire remains the main cause of the building's failure. The article also mentions that the Vets has run into problems with electricity, trash, graffiti. Noted local architect Oresto DiSaia was given the contract to plan the completion. The VETS is among the oldest arts venues in Rhode Island and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completely restored in 1990. The ornately designed 1,931-seat concert hall houses the largest theater stage in Rhode Island. The performance space features a gilded proscenium arch, as well as allegorical and heraldic ceiling murals. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra holds several concerts at The VETS each year. In addition, The VETS hosts a broad range of events each season, offering a variety of performances, rehearsals, exhibitions, concerts, educational events, meetings, and other special events. Since 1950, when the theater opened, it began to fall into disrepair. In the early 1980s, the state of Rhode Island was thinking of closing the auditorium and the adjoining Masonic Temple and reducing the complex to a parking lot. In 1983, the Veterans Memorial Auditorium Preservation Association (VMAPA) was formed to try to save the auditorium. They rallied for five years and, in 1988, Governor DiPrete awarded the VMAPA with $5 million for the building's renovation. Since that time, it has been a center for the arts. In 2015, The VETS completed another series of renovations, making it a state-of-the-art performance facility. The Renaissance Providence Hotel, formerly the Masonic Temple, is adjacent to The VETS. Five visual and performing arts companies perform at The VETS: FirstWorks, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Festival Ballet Providence, the Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Art League Rhode Island.