The Work Underway: Four Site Tours Across Rhode Island
A new sailing center; mixed-income housing; a historic restoration and renovation; and new senior living — our teams explore milestones at several projects in progress
Center City Apartments
Providence, Rhode Island
Union is transforming three vacant and blighted properties into a mixed-income, affordable residential community. The group that got to see the construction progress admired the two new structures on the site which will create 160 new apartments. This 75,000-ground square foot project located on Taunton Ave. in East Providence is gaining momentum and it was exciting to see the project moving forward, after almost 9 months since construction began.
Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation Sailing Center (CISF)
Jamestown, Rhode Island
CISF is working towards replacing the temporary tents and trailers and establishing its first permanent home at Fort Getty Park in Jamestown. Union is designing two new buildings, an education center and a workshop, both linked by outdoor spaces. The campus hopes to showcase their high-performance building science and healthy material choices by creating a living classroom built around all-electric systems for a target net-zero energy use property. In April of 2026, the walls went up and basic construction was underway. As we move throughout the summer, more and more details are coming together, leaving the site almost complete with exterior construction.
Boys and Girls Club of Newport County
Newport, Rhode Island
Two groups visited this site with an eager mindset as this expansion and renovation comes to life. The historic clubhouse on Church Street in downtown Newport was due for a renovation as it has served as the home to the Boys & Girls Club since 1957. Union was selected to guide and design a renovation that will require immense efforts in order to program the campus to support its wide-ranging community services while preserving the historical school. July 2026 marks a year into construction and after visiting we are seeing tremendous progress.
Ade Bethune House & Portsmouth Senior Center
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
After 5 years in the making, this innovative senior center is complete. Placed on Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 54 homes will soon comfort residents 55 and older. The former schoolhouse that once shaped young minds will now be a place where Portsmouth seniors can age with stability, dignity, and connection. Seeing completed projects is always special as many of us have seen each stage that has led up to its success.