Today

Aside from its economic woes, the Arcade gave a sense of civic pride to local community members, who in turn worked to prevent its demolition in 1944, and who continue to work for its preservation today. In fact, the Providence Arcade is the only one left standing out of four early arcades built in the United States during the 19 th century. In 1970, the Metropolitan Museum of Art included the Providence Arcade in its exhibition, "The Rise of an American Architecture," and in 1976 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 1980, the building was substantially remodeled and rehabilitated by architects Irving B. Haynes & Associates and developer Gilbane Co. in an award-winning project to enhance its economic viability. Thus, the Arcade continues to stand gracefully as one of the nation's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture, and a reminder of the highly fashionable Providence of the mid-1800s.