COMPLETE: Masonic Temple Hotel

[Frankie811]

[Garris]

Some mural or trompe l'oeil thing would be a better investment I think.

[runawayjim]

after looking at frankie's link, i was reminded of a mural on the side of a building i saw in philly. the mural makes the building look like it's hollowed out with a statue inside. it's an awesome optical illusion. when walking buy or riding by on the bus and glancing over, it seems like there's actually a statue there, but a closer look reveals the truth. something like that would be cool.

[Liamlunchtray]

after looking at frankie's link, i was reminded of a mural on the side of a building i saw in philly. the mural makes the building look like it's hollowed out with a statue inside. it's an awesome optical illusion. when walking buy or riding by on the bus and glancing over, it seems like there's actually a statue there, but a closer look reveals the truth. something like that would be cool.

[brick]

Maybe we could do something like that but have it look like there is actually a grocery store downtown.

[Cotuit]

Maybe Tromp le oil can solve the energy crisis.

[BBascule]

Maybe Tromp le oil can solve the energy crisis.

[inProv]

Tromp le oil comes from flat dinosaurs.

[chaz200]

Those LEDs are CRAZY expensive. That wall belongs to VMA doesn't it? I'm pretty sure VMA can't afford an LED, and even if Renaissance paid for it, they'd want to place ads on it to cover the expense. While I'm sure they could be persuaded to feature cultural events, they'd need to sell ads to recoup the cost. That's if DOT allowed it. Since it is not perpendicular to the highway, you'd have to turn your head as you drove by to read anything. It seems a big expense for little return. Some mural or trompe l'oeil thing would be a better investment I think.

[Lone Ranger]

i must have not seen the other ones (i rarely go out 195 for anything, is that in RI or MA?). the 2 that i can think of are the one in warwick and the one on the side of the building at the corner of harris and atwells by the 10/6 connector. the 2 way street between the VMA and the highway isn't that big.

i agree that quality is more important than quantity, which is why i'd like to see a nice LED sign there to advertise events.

[matt]

...there's a another one (bigger, with better clarity) farther up Rt 10 close to the Cranston line.

[Cotuit]

Well they can do two and mount them sticking out away from the building in a V fashion so it can be seen in both directions.

[runawayjim]

Well, that would be even crazier expensive. I do think there should be one on the Dunk, that at least faces 95 South.

[BigUglyCat]

you mean one that isn't hidden by the highway? they already do sort of have one, but it's hidden below the crazy maze of ramps that make up exit 22.

[runawayjim]

Jim: Is that the original that was in place back when it was the Civic Center? I remember heading down I-95 South one evening, and seeing, "Flash! Spiro Agnew Resigns!" That ought to date me for a lot of readers. No Providence Place then, just Union Station off in the distance.

[Frankie811]

From the projo blog.

Renaissance Hotel Ribbon Cutting

It's taken more than 80 years, but the Masonic Temple will finally get a ribbon ceremony -- officially opening as the Renaissance Providence Hotel today at 2:00 p.m.

Ground was broken on the building site in 1926. Financial mishaps and unfinished proposals kept the building mostly empty until 2004, when Denver-based Sage Hospitality began work on the 272-room hotel.

Governor Carcieri and Mayor Cicilline are two of attendees scheduled to make an appearance at this afternoon's ceremony.

[Frankie811]

David Brussat: At last, philharmonic fulfillment

The Providence Renaissance Hotel, which opened in June, adds a new dimension to the VMA experience.

[runawayjim]

David Brussat: At last, philharmonic fulfillment

The Providence Renaissance Hotel, which opened in June, adds a new dimension to the VMA experience.

[Gusterfell]

My favorite line is "it

[runawayjim]

It amazes me that he can find some way to spin this same theme week after week.

[Pseudo_Work]

It amazes me that he can find some way to spin this same theme week after week.

[TheAnk]

Why can't we have shiny glass buildings mixed in with the old guard brick, etc?? Keeping things traditional makes a city look tired and dated.. You can keep some old buildings and mix in new.. It shows a respect of the old, but an advancement forward.. I'm even sort of warming to those Miami Beach like twin towers by waterfire.. I'm a firm believer that you cannot attract new, service economy business using dated industrial era buildings, but thats just me..

I love the G-Tech building, like the Masonic Temple.. Although I think a little more tribute to the creepy bankrupt Free Masons would have made it more interesting.. Yet they opted for recent grafitti "artists" instead, which actually has its moments.. I like it.. I bet The Artist at The Steelyard could appreciate THAT peoples' history.. Thats current history winning over real history and actually working out!!!

[Garris]

I'm a firm believer that you cannot attract new, service economy business using dated industrial era buildings, but thats just me..

[Cotuit]

Although I think a little more tribute to the creepy bankrupt Free Masons would have made it more interesting.

[Pseudo_Work]

I'm a firm believer that you cannot attract new, service economy business using dated industrial era buildings, but thats just me..