The Arcade building was a joint design of Russell Warren (1784-1882) and James C. Bucklin (1801-1880). This design is the first shopping mall in the United States.  Light and able to hold a number of businesses, it revolutionized the concept of shopping in the United States.

 On the left is a drawing of  the Westminster street side of the Arcade building that James C, Bucklin designed. with a pediment over the columns (at 21 feet high and 3 feet wide, the largest stone columns in America at the time of erection) Click to enlarge the thumbnails to appreciate the design for that time.

 On the right side is a drawing of  the Weybosset street side of the Arcade building that Russell Warren designed, with a parapet over the columns.

This was the first monumental business building in Providence, erected by Cyrus Butler in 1828.  It was revolutionary in a number of items, among which was that it instituted a Greek revival that superseded Colonial traditions.  Its walls were built of granite, 216 feet long.  At each end is a portico, 15 feet deep.  A corridor extends through the building, open to the sky lighted roof, flanked by three stories of shops, those on the upper levels fronting on balconies open to the center corridor. 

To reach the Bucklin Arcade from  I-95, take exit 22, Downtown Providence, and follow signs for downtown.  At the stoplight at the end of the ramp, turn right, onto Francis Street.  At the next light bear left into Dorrance street.  Continue for at least four traffic lights.  Turn left onto Weybosset Street.  The Arcade is a block down the Weybosset Street.  A parking garage is across from the Arcade.