Introduction

At the turn of the century, tall office buildings became the symbol of American urbanity and modernity. Although decidedly horizontal in layout due to its elongated footprint, the Banigan building was considered Providence’s first skyscraper, a ten-story steel-frame, granite-covered building at the bottom of College St., surrounded by modern glass high-rises and other historic monuments. Notably, it was Providence’s first fire-proof, steel-frame building of its height. Joseph Banigan was the child of working Irish immigrants, an unlikely business success for the time. He founded the U.S Rubber Company, then sold out and ventured into real estate investment, beginning with the building named for him. Norcross Brothers were one of the foremost builders in the country, whose works included the Trinity Church in Boston, and the Rhode Island State House.