I keep coming back to Superman
If you've been to Providence, you've seen the "Superman Building." It's one of Providence’s most iconic landmarks, the anchor of its skyline.
Located at 111 Westminster Street, this towering skyscraper isn’t just about its impressive height—it’s a symbol of Providence's rich history and vibrant community spirit. Whether you know it as the "Superman Building" or more accurately as the Industrial Trust Company Building, it's got a long and storied history.
A Proud Landmark
The Superman Building stands 428 feet tall, with 26 stories that have looked over Providence since 1928. Built as the headquarters for the Industrial Trust Company, it was designed by New York’s Walker & Gillette and local architect George Frederick Hall. Its limestone façade and stepped design were inspired by New York’s grand skyscrapers but made unmistakably Rhode Island’s own.
Locals gave it a fun nickname—the “Superman Building”—because the design reminded many of the Daily Planet’s tower from the Superman comics. The building’s lantern lit up the skyline for nearly ninety years, serving as a guiding light and a symbol of Rhode Island pride.
Though the last bank tenant left in 2013, letting the building sit empty since then, its place in the hearts of Rhode Islanders has only grown stronger. It’s more than just an old office tower—it’s a canvas for our community’s hopes for the future.
Memories of the #SaveSuperman Tour
Nine years ago, I had the chance to tour the Superman Building with the Providence Preservation Society during their #SaveSupermanRI campaign. Walking through the grand Banking Hall and exploring the old vaults gave me a real sense of the building’s history and beauty. Though restoration has paused, the space remains full of potential.
I'm actually a little embarrassed by my photos when I see what RISD and Providence Preservation Society have done.
Part of the resistance to restoration is that the developers want city and/state assistance to make it happen. It seems to me that if the state or city were to invest in the property, it would be more palatable if the taxpayers got something in return.
I think the space could serve Rhode Islanders, with a 100 year lease built into the package: the Banking Hall could become a state museum (Rhode Island doesn't have one), the vault could house the state archives, and some percentage of the office space could be transformed into affordable housing. Imagine if the viewing area’s small kitchen became a snack stand—offering local favorites like NY System Wieners or Del’s Lemonade—with free access for residents and a small fee for visitors. These are the kind of community-focused ideas that could keep the Superman Building a beloved part of our city’s story.
The restored building would become a tourist destination, increasing downcity foot traffic for the surrounding businesses, and increasing housing options in a tough market. Get a meaningful grocery store in the neighborhood, combined with downcity's walkability and bus hub, and we'd have a downtown that thrives rather than crumbles.
So much potential
The Superman Building is more than a skyscraper. It’s a beacon of Providence’s history, community spirit, and imagination. From its roaring beginnings in the 1920s to our present-day hopes of affordable housing and cultural spaces, this building reminds us of what we can build together.
What are your memories of the Superman Building? Share your story in the comments below.
https://savingsuperman.risd.edu/SUPERMAN-BUILDING
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