Union Station

Built In

1898

History

Union Station, built by New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, was actually five buildings. They were yellow brick and terra cotta and designed by Stone, Carpenter and Wilson. Francis Street went under the central Passenger Station. As train usage decreased, plans were made to convert the building for other purposes. Discussions on a new smaller station started in 1953. In April 1987, a fire destroyed most of the building. Ten million dollars of renovation later, the buildings were ready for use as offices, retail, and restaurants. The main occupant is now the Rhode Island Foundation, which bought the central building in 1999.