Westminster Arcade, Providence

The Westminster Arcade was built in 1828. It was designed in the Greek Revival architectural style by Russell Warren and architectural firm Tallman & Bucklin. The two street-facing sides have six Ionic columns that echo the styles of Greek temples. The other two sides were left purposefully blank as it was expected that other buildings would eventually be added.

The Arcade, as it is most commonly known, was the nation's first enclosed shopping mall. It operated as a shopping center for many years until it was a renovated and re-opened as a mixed-use building. The Arcade is now home to a number of boutique retail shops, restaurants, bars and 48 micro-loft apartments.

The interior of the building has a skylit roof that covers the building's entire length. Though the design uses some mahogany as accent pieces, the majority of the construction and design elements are fully fireproof. The roof is tin and all construction materials are granite, brick and cast iron.

The Westminster Arcade has been called the most important example of commercial architecture in the city. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.