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Bank of America Tower (Providence)
Encyclopedia
The Bank of America Building is the tallest building in the city of Providence
and the state of Rhode Island
, and the 28th tallest in New England
. Standing at 428 ft (130.5 m) and comprising 26 floors, it was the third tallest building in New England when completed, behind the Travelers Tower in Hartford, CT and the Custom House Tower
in Boston
. The Bank of America building, built in 1927, has been the tallest building in Rhode Island for 84 years, and is the oldest building to have a state
record for tallest in state. The next oldest building to hold a state height record is the Empire State Building
, built three years later.
style popular at the time. Stepped
buildings in New York City
had been architects' solution for Manhattan
's strict zoning
regarding adequate light and air, and the New York architects, Walker & Gillette
, though they faced no such restrictions in Providence, chose to use symmetrical stepped massing in imitation of New York skyscrapers of the time. The base and the trim at the base's top was built to match the cornice
height of existing adjacent (now gone) four-story buildings. The building has remained relatively unchanged over the years with the exception of the lobby, the upper windows and several stone eagles at the top of the tower on the light beacon, which were removed decades ago after an eagle fell to the street below. From nightfall until midnight the peak of the building is lit a bright blue (red and green at Christmas, red for Valentine's Day).
The building was originally known as the Industrial Trust Tower and later as the Fleet Bank Tower, before its current incarnation as the Bank of America Building. From 1927 to 1995, it was the headquarters for what eventually became Fleet Financial Group.
The building has also been known locally as the Superman Building since the 1950s, when it was rumored that the Bank of America building had served as the model for the Daily Planet
building in the Superman
comic book. However, Superman co-creator Joe Shuster
claims he drew his inspiration not from this (nor the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio
, where Shuster was living at the time, as another rumor has it), but, rather, from his home city of Toronto
(and likely the Old Toronto Star Building
, home to Shuster's employer the Toronto Star
).
The Bank of America building is one of three Providence buildings commonly shown in the background of outdoor scenes in the animated television series Family Guy
, in company with 50 Kennedy Plaza
and One Financial Plaza. In 2010, a mural designed by Shepard Fairey which features the Bank of America Building and which includes the face of former wrestler Andre the Giant
was created in downtown Providence. The mural is associated with the 25th anniversary celebration of AS220, a non-profit community arts organization.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and the state of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, and the 28th tallest in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. Standing at 428 ft (130.5 m) and comprising 26 floors, it was the third tallest building in New England when completed, behind the Travelers Tower in Hartford, CT and the Custom House Tower
Custom House Tower
The Custom House Tower - now Marriott's Custom House Hotel - is a skyscraper in McKinley Square, in the Financial District neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Construction began in the mid-19th century; the tower was added in the 1910s...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The Bank of America building, built in 1927, has been the tallest building in Rhode Island for 84 years, and is the oldest building to have a state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
record for tallest in state. The next oldest building to hold a state height record is the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
, built three years later.
History
The building was constructed in 1927 and designed in the Art DecoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style popular at the time. Stepped
Setback (architecture)
A setback, sometimes called step-back, is a step-like recession in a wall. Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes.-History:...
buildings in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
had been architects' solution for Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's strict zoning
1916 Zoning Resolution
The New York City 1916 Zoning Resolution was a measure adopted primarily to stop massive buildings such as the Equitable Building from preventing light and air from reaching the streets below...
regarding adequate light and air, and the New York architects, Walker & Gillette
Walker & Gillette
Walker & Gillette was an architectural firm based in New York City, the partnership of A. Stewart Walker and Leon N. Gillette , active from 1906 through 1945.- Biography :...
, though they faced no such restrictions in Providence, chose to use symmetrical stepped massing in imitation of New York skyscrapers of the time. The base and the trim at the base's top was built to match the cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
height of existing adjacent (now gone) four-story buildings. The building has remained relatively unchanged over the years with the exception of the lobby, the upper windows and several stone eagles at the top of the tower on the light beacon, which were removed decades ago after an eagle fell to the street below. From nightfall until midnight the peak of the building is lit a bright blue (red and green at Christmas, red for Valentine's Day).
The building was originally known as the Industrial Trust Tower and later as the Fleet Bank Tower, before its current incarnation as the Bank of America Building. From 1927 to 1995, it was the headquarters for what eventually became Fleet Financial Group.
The building has also been known locally as the Superman Building since the 1950s, when it was rumored that the Bank of America building had served as the model for the Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
building in the Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
comic book. However, Superman co-creator Joe Shuster
Joe Shuster
Joseph "Joe" Shuster was a Canadian-born American comic book artist. He was best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, first published in Action Comics #1...
claims he drew his inspiration not from this (nor the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, where Shuster was living at the time, as another rumor has it), but, rather, from his home city of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
(and likely the Old Toronto Star Building
Old Toronto Star Building
The Old Toronto Star Building at 80 King Street West in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was built in 1929 by Chapman & Oxley and abandoned in 1970 when the Toronto Star newspaper moved to One Yonge Street. The Art Deco building was torn down in 1972 to make way for the First Canadian Place. It stood at...
, home to Shuster's employer the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
).
The Bank of America building is one of three Providence buildings commonly shown in the background of outdoor scenes in the animated television series Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
, in company with 50 Kennedy Plaza
50 Kennedy Plaza
50 Kennedy Plaza is a Postmodern skyscraper in Providence, Rhode Island. At a height of , it is currently the sixth-tallest building in the city and state. The building is named for Kennedy Plaza, which it abuts....
and One Financial Plaza. In 2010, a mural designed by Shepard Fairey which features the Bank of America Building and which includes the face of former wrestler Andre the Giant
André the Giant
André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
was created in downtown Providence. The mural is associated with the 25th anniversary celebration of AS220, a non-profit community arts organization.