PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Most recently an incubator-space for museum-quality furniture, a historic downtown Providence building will now be leased to retailers and for office space.

The Tilden-Thurber building at the corner of Mathewson and Westminster streets was purchased by Paolino Properties at a price of $712,000 from Stanley Weiss Associates LLC.

The announcement was made by managing partner and former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., in a news release.

“I am pleased that we are ensuring that this grand 19th century building continues to play a prime role in the life of our capital city in the 21st century,” Paolino stated in the news release.

“This iconic structure, like so many others in the heart of our city, stands as a monument to great moments in our past, when the Gorham Manufacturing Company was one of the most prominent and largest makers of sterling silverware in the world,” he stated.

The 14,840-square-foot building at 292 Westminster St. has four floors.

The structure dates to 1865, and is in the Beaux-Arts architectural style that began in France.

For the past 25 years, it was the home of the Stanley Weiss Collection. It included American and English furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The furniture, which was geared toward serious collectors, at one time included pieces such as Rococo revival armchairs, a Chippendale drop leaf table and a Queen Anne case clock.

Weiss is a well-known Providence developer, who has also developed the Hotel Providence.

Paolino Properties, which was founded in 1900, includes "office, industrial, retail, and residential properties throughout Rhode Island and beyond,” the release stated.

ckozma@providencejournal.com

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