Durkee Brown Vivieros Werenfels Architects completed renovations of the Mercantile Block on Washington St. AS220 purchased the historic 4-story building in 2008.
DBVW renovated the building to create 22 units of affordable and market-rate apartments for artists and 11 work studios and offices. The building totals 50,000 s/f.
The ground floor contains a public print shop and retail space. Two longtime tenants, Clark the Locksmith and The Stable (formerly Wheels Bar), now occupy newly renovated space. The Mercantile is also the new home to AS220 Labs, collaboration between AS220 and MIT. The first floor amenities include bicycle storage and mailbox alcove. The basement will include rehearsal studios for musicians.
The renovated space includes hardwood floors, high tin ceilings, and exposed architectural detail. Sustainable elements to the project included low-consumption plumbing, insulated windows, reflective roof membrane and recycled building materials. The Providence Preservation Society honored the building with an Adaptive Reuse and Historic Restoration Award.
The project team included: Providence Revolving Fund, Barbara Sokolff & Associates, Pezzuco Construction Inc., AHA Engineers, Yoder & Tidwell and Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants Inc.