Providence, RI Design Center Partners, LLC, a joint venture between Ionic Development Company, a Boston-based, woman-owned development firm, and Wade Keating, a Providence-based architecture firm, has officially been selected by the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission to develop Parcel 5 – a 1.5 acre parcel on the East side of the Providence River. Design Center Partners’ proposal curates an art and design retail destination for the community, as well as 150 apartments and 25 condominiums.

“We are honored to have the Providence Art & Design Center chosen for Providence’s Parcel 5, and we look forward to curating a destination that reflects the values and identity of Providence,” said Kaitlin McCarthy, CEO and founder of Ionic Development. “With robust community feedback and support, we’re thrilled to bring this vision to life in a way that showcases Rhode Island talent and further activates Providence’s waterfront.”

“Our goal is to create a destination within the district that supports the mission of innovation and design. While the architecture is important, it’s really this big idea of a place that is for and of the community, creating spaces that are open to the public that connect to all of the other important flows around the site,” said Andrew Keating, architect and principal of Wade Keating.

Chosen out of three finalists and nine original proposals, the Providence Art & Design Center will be a dynamic 30,000 s/f destination for arts, design, and creative retail. Intentionally designed to foster community engagement and economic growth, the Center will host gallery space, showcase local designers, and serve as a hub for artistic collaboration. With the planned 150 apartments and 25 condominiums, the Providence Art & Design Center will be a true mixed-use space and further activate the I-195 District with new housing opportunities. The Providence Art & Design Center’s pedestrian-centric design delivers on the mission of the I-195 Commission’s Innovation and Design district. It will bring vibrancy to the public realm, while also supporting economic growth by attracting new business and driving the creation of jobs.

The Providence Art & Design Center seeks to attract a range of tenants, building on the list of retailers and organizations already engaged. These include: Air & Anchor, DesignxRI, Myrth, Open Projects, and the restaurant Angel’s Kitchen. Throughout the proposal process, Design Center Partners sought out and integrated feedback from local artists and designers to help curate the final vision for the Providence Art & Design Center.