The Mercantile Block

In 2008, AS220 purchased our third downtown building, the Mercantile Block, located on Washington Street and directly abutting the Dreyfus. This four story plus basement building totals 50,000 square feet and presents a tremendous opportunity to provide still more spaces for artists to live, work and create in Providence, reinforcing our reputation as the "Creative Capital".

In the last decade of the 19th century, city records tell us that the site now occupied by the Mercantile contained a laundry and then a scale repair shop on the Washington Street side. On the Martha Street side was a good sized livery where horses and carriages could be boarded or hired. The Mercantile of today dates back to 1901 and is actually composed of several buildings that were joined over time. In recent years the building was owned by the Cohen family and known as the home of Cogens Printing. Every effort has been made to restore the historic beauty of this mercantile building; throughout the building you will find hardwood floors, exposed architectural detail and exceptionally high tin ceilings that replicate the tin pattern original to the building. The buildings facade was entirely concealed from view has been painstakingly restored to its former grace.

AS220's adaptive re-use of the historic Mercantile Block provides for a vibrant mix of live and work studios, arts related offices and one-of-a kind, local retail and commercial spaces. Especially noteworthy is the effort to revitalize Martha Street. Original building openings have been uncovered and restored, creating a beautiful and highly functional set of entrances, replete with glass sidelights, transoms and storefronts. Once regarded as a "back alley", Martha Street is being transformed into a vibrant pedestrian way, greatly animating the neighborhood and enhancing safety.

The newly restored Mercantile contains:

Live Studios: Floors 3 & 4
Download the Floor Plans for Residential Floors 3 & 4 of the Mercantile Block
Floors 3 & 4 contain a total of 22 residential studios ranging in size from 600 to 880 sq ft and the building's 4th floor residential laundry facilities.

Work and Arts Related Studios: Floor 2
Download the Floor Plans for Floor 2 of the Mercantile
Floor 2 contains 11 studios, several of which have been joined to provide larger spaces. The second floor tenant mix includes two AS220 programs: the Community Print Shop and AS220 Labs, several non profits such as College Visions and the Rhode Island Council on the Humanities (RICH), some individual work studios and 2 common bathrooms.

First Floor and Lower Level
Download the Original Architectural Floor Plans for the Mercantile Building Including the First Floor
Two long time Mercantile tenants--Clark the Locksmith and The Stable (formerly Wheels Bar)--continue their tenancy in the building in new and very improved spaces. The first floor will also contain an affordable food and beverage venue; as well the AS220 Print Shop and AS220 Labs. (The Labs and Print Shop have space on both floors 1 & 2). The first floor also offers a bicycle storage area and a mailbox alcove for tenant use.

Rehearsal Spaces
On the basement level of the Mercantile, we are fitting out 3 spaces, to be used as rehearsal studios for musicians. Spaces are between 250-430 sq ft and it is expected that these will be rented by a number of bands.

You can learn about any available vacancies, learn more about the application process and download AS220's application for the Mercantile Block studios on our Live/Work Page.