Pennrose and its public-sector partners have opened Tandem, marking the completion of a mixed-use, mixed-income redevelopment on a 195 District parcel in Providence. The new community is described as a 127-unit mixed-use, mixed-income property that combines Tandem with Tempo, an earlier phase that began welcoming residents in April 2025. Together, the two phases complete the transformation of Parcel 9 within the 195 District.
The fully built-out project delivers mixed-income housing alongside neighborhood-serving uses. Across the combined development, residents and the surrounding community gain access to 1,100 square feet of ground floor retail space, an affordable childcare facility, and a public plaza. These elements are designed to extend activity at the street level and support daily needs for households at a range of income levels.
Tandem, the newly opened second phase, adds 61 mixed-income, workforce, and market-rate rental homes to the overall program. The building offers a mix of layouts, including eight one-bedroom-plus-den units intended to provide larger, more flexible living spaces. Additional one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments feature townhouse-style entrances along Bessie Way, introducing a more residential streetscape and direct-access formats within the district.
The ribbon-cutting drew participation from Pennrose, the 195 District, the City of Providence, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Mayor Brett Smiley, and other project partners, reflecting the collaborative nature of the effort. Their involvement underscores the role of both state and local leadership, along with RIHousing, in advancing the redevelopment vision for this portion of the former highway land.
Commenting on the milestone, Karmen Cheung, regional vice president at Pennrose, noted that the opening of Tandem represents the realization of the long-planned concept for Parcel 9. Cheung highlighted that the project is the result of years of coordination between Pennrose, the 195 District, the City of Providence, and RIHousing, emphasizing that the shared commitment of these organizations enabled the mixed-use, mixed-income community to move from planning to completion.
With Tandem now in operation and Tempo already open, the Parcel 9 redevelopment in the 195 District is fully delivered as a mixed-use, mixed-income multifamily asset anchored by on-site retail, public space, and affordable childcare. The completed project increases the supply of rental housing options in Providence and reflects a coordinated approach between a private developer and multiple public entities to reshape a key site within the city.
