The two iconic downtown Providence properties - the former Providence Journal building and the adjacent former Kresge's department store - have been put back on the market after being purchased in 2016 by developer William Thibeault for $2.3 million total. Thibeault had plans to rehabilitate the buildings but is now selling them without listing a specific asking price. Additionally, several high-end home sales are reported in Providence and Newport, with prices ranging from $1.15 million to $2.75 million.

1. 6/19/2017 R.I. Real Estate Notes: Two downtown Providence buildings back on the market
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By Christine Dunn
Journal Staff Writer
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Posted Jun 16, 2017 at 9:00 AM
Two iconic downtown Providence properties, the former Providence Journal building at 203
Westminster St., and its next-door neighbor, the former Kresge’s department store, are back
on the market.
Everett, Massachusetts, developer William Thibeault had purchased the two buildings on
March 31, 2016, paying $2.3 million for the pair. At the time, Thibeault said he planned to
rehabilitate them.
The ornate former Journal building, built in 1906, was home to the newspaper for less than 30
years. Thibeault bought it for $1,792,122, and the smaller, Art Deco-style Kresge, built in
1920, was purchased for $532,878.
There is no asking price set for the buildings, and Thibeault said last week that he had no
comment on the matter.
The Providence Journal opened its headquarters at 75 Fountain St. in 1934. Today the Journal
is a tenant at 75 Fountain St., which was purchased in 2015 by Massachusetts-based Nordblom
Co. and Providence’s Cornish Associates.
Eliza Ward house sells for $1.65M
The historical Eliza Ward House at 2 George St. on the East Side of Providence was sold
recently for $1.65 million.
Residential Properties Ltd. represented both sides of the transaction, with Jim DeRentis
serving as the listing agent, and Gerri Schiffman as the buyer’s agent. According to the deed,
recorded May 31, the seller was Samuel Calvert Dudley and the buyers were Neel Raj Sodha
and Rachel E. Beard.
The circa 1814 Federal-style residence in College
Hill was built for for Eliza Ward, the daughter of
architect Joseph Brown, one of the four famous
Brown brothers and a teacher of mathematics
and astronomy at Brown University. Eliza
R.I. Real Estate Notes: Two downtown Providence
buildings back on the market
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2. 6/19/2017 R.I. Real Estate Notes: Two downtown Providence buildings back on the market
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married Richard Ward, a member of a politically
influential family from Newport. After the death
of her husband in 1808, Eliza lived with her
brother until this home’s completion in 1814.
The home remained in Eliza’s family until 1892
when Marsden J. Perry, owner of the
Narragansett Electric Company, moved in.
The house has been restored and updated for
21st-century living, with original period details, Dufour wallpaper, classic millwork,
professionally designed lighting, updated electrical systems, and five zones of heating and air
conditioning.
$2.75M house sale in N. Kingstown
A home at 370 Forge Rd., North Kingstown, sold on June 7 for $2.75 million, the highest sale
in North Kingstown in more than six years. According to Mott & Chace Sotheby’s
International Realty, the property never made it onto the MLS, but went under contract
immediately.
The sellers, Domenick and Denise Stirpe, were represented by broker Annamarie Ringheim,
and the buyer, identified only as CAH LLC, was represented by sales associate Erin Marsh.
Both agents are with Mott & Chace.
The manager of CAH LLC is identified in state corporation records as Walter W. Martish of
East Greenwich.
Newport home sells for $1.29M
One of Newport’s historical homes, the John Frye House, at 35 Second St., in The Point
neighborhood, was sold June 9 for $1.29 million, according to Lila Delman Real Estate
International.
Seller Peter T. Boss was represented by Lila Delman broker association Annie Becker. The
buyer, Melissa Donahue, was represented by Chris West of Gustave White Sotheby’s
International Realty.
The John Frye House was built as a four-room gambrel in 1760. Another home was moved to
the site and attached as is evident by the unusual roof lines. The building was part of the
Operation Clapboard restoration of the Point Section in the 1960s.
The house has 3,343 square feet of space on three levels, including five bedrooms, six
fireplaces, and a handsome brick courtyard.
East Side home sells for $1.15M
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3. 6/19/2017 R.I. Real Estate Notes: Two downtown Providence buildings back on the market
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A classic colonial at 40 Grotto Ave., on the East Side of Providence, was sold June 2 for $1.15
million.
The seller, George Potsidis, was represented by Lila Delman Real Estate International, and
associate Tom Wegner represented the buyers, Patrick R. Henson and Cassandra S. Parker.
The 4,257-square-foot house has four bedrooms and three and one-half baths. The home was
built c. 1900 and fully restored. It has three fireplaces, a stone patio and a detached two-car
garage.
—cdunn@providencejournal.com
(401) 277-7913
On Twitter: @ChristineMDunn