187 Benefit Street

Preservation of the character of the Historic College Hill District was a key factor in RISD’s decision to renovate the Ebenezer Dexter House at 187 Benefit Street, rather than to raze it and erect a new building.
The conversion conducted by Lerner | Ladds + Bartels was significant through its help in preserving the integrity of the streetscape. Converting the 1817 house into student accommodations both maintained and reinforced the residential core of Benefit Street. Brand new electrical, plumbing, and heating systems accompanied the full interior renovation, while preserving and restoring the historic front hall and stairway. Stipulated within the program were the preservation of existing
gardens, minimal impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood, and a design in which no zoning relief would be required.