Walk down to the intersection where Westminster and Weybosset Streets collide in downtown Providence, and you'll feel it. Someone is watching you.
Look up.
Perched on the third-floor granite belt of a 16-story, V-shaped skyscraper is a face you won't soon forget. It’s the "Turk." He’s got a massive turban, a stern, almost judgmental expression, and a mustache that would make a Victorian general jealous. Honestly, if you didn’t know the history, you’d think it was the most random architectural choice in Rhode Island. But the Turks Head Building Providence isn't just a 1913 office tower; it’s a weird, beautiful bridge to the city's maritime past and a survivor of some of the weirdest urban lore in New England.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Name
Most folks assume the building was named after the sculpture. Actually, it's the other way around. Long before the skyscraper existed—back in the early 1800s—a shopkeeper named Jacob Whitman lived and worked right on this corner. He was a blacksmith and a merchant who knew everyone in town. To make his shop stand out, he mounted a massive wooden figurehead over the door.
This wasn't just any carving. It was an Ottoman warrior, allegedly salvaged from the ship Sultan.
Locals started calling the spot "At the Sign of the Turk’s Head." It became the "let's meet at the clock" of the 19th century. People didn't say, "Meet me at the corner of Westminster and Weybosset." They said, "I'll see you at the Turk’s Head."
👉 See also: Finding Your Way: The Sky Harbor Airport Map Terminal 3 Breakdown
Then, nature stepped in. A massive storm—some accounts say a hurricane—eventually ripped the wooden head from the building. It vanished. Some say it ended up in the hands of the Rhode Island Historical Society; others think it was lost to the sea. But the name stuck to that corner like glue. When the Brown Land Company decided to build a "modern" skyscraper there in 1913, they knew they couldn't just call it the "Brown Building." They had to bring back the glower.
Architecture with a Serious Ego
The firm Howells & Stokes designed the current building. If the shape looks familiar, you’ve probably spent some time in New York. The architects basically looked at Daniel Burnham’s famous Flatiron Building and said, "Yeah, let's do that, but wider."
It was the tallest building in Providence for nearly a decade. At 215 feet, it was the king of the skyline until the Biltmore Hotel showed up in 1922 and ruined the party.
Why the "V" Shape?
The "V" isn't just for style. It’s a response to the way Providence was built—organic and messy. Weybosset and Westminster Streets don't meet at a clean 90-degree angle. They pinch together. The building fills that weird gap perfectly, acting as a prow of a ship cutting through the downtown traffic.
Inside, the lobby still feels like a 1920s detective movie. You've got:
✨ Don't miss: Why an Escape Room Stroudsburg PA Trip is the Best Way to Test Your Friendships
- Original marble accents that have seen a century of foot traffic.
- Heavy brass elevator doors.
- That distinct, quiet "old money" vibe that modern glass towers can't replicate.
The Secret Club and the Hurricane of '38
For years, the top floor was home to the Turks Head Club. It was the place to be if you were a high-powered lawyer or a Providence businessman who liked cigars and expensive silver.
There’s a legendary story about the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. As the ocean surged into downtown Providence, flooding the streets up to the second floor, a group of people—including office workers and club members—were actually trapped inside the building. They sat in the Turks Head Club on the top floor, eating off fine china and watching the city drown below them.
The club is gone now, but the aura of the building remains. It’s currently used as office space, housing everything from law firms to the GoLocalProv newsroom on the ground floor.
Is it Haunted or Just Old?
You’ll hear rumors. People talk about secret societies and "strange happenings" because of the Ottoman head. Truthfully? It’s just an old building with a lot of character. The stone face on the exterior is a replica of the original wooden one, but it’s carved with such intensity that it feels alive in certain lights.
If you’re a photographer, the best time to see it is during the "blue hour" just after sunset. The way the streetlights hit the granite makes the Turk look like he’s about to start speaking.
🔗 Read more: Why San Luis Valley Colorado is the Weirdest, Most Beautiful Place You’ve Never Been
Actionable Tips for Visiting the Turks Head Building
If you're heading downtown to see it for yourself, don't just snap a photo and leave.
- Look for the Bas-Reliefs: While the Turk gets all the glory, the building is covered in other cool carvings. Look for the lions, seashells, and intricate floral patterns that decorate the limestone and brick.
- The Angle Matters: Stand in the middle of the "plaza" (the open space where the streets meet) to get the best perspective of the V-shape. It’s one of the most "European" feeling spots in the city.
- Check Out the Neighbors: You’re a stone's throw from the Arcade Providence, the oldest indoor shopping mall in America. You can see two centuries of architectural history in a five-minute walk.
- Parking: Don't try to park right in front of it. Use the Weybosset Street garage or find a spot on Dorrance Street and walk over.
The Turks Head Building Providence is a survivor. It survived the 1938 hurricane, the decline of the 1970s, and the rise of the "Superman Building" across the street. It’s a reminder that even in a digital world, a stone face on a corner still has the power to stop you in your tracks.
To get the full experience, walk toward it from the Providence River side. The building looms over the intersection like a sentry. It's not just a piece of real estate; it's the anchor of downtown. Take a second to appreciate the craftsmanship of 1913. They really don't build them like this anymore.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Start your walk at the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge.
- Walk up Weybosset Street toward the "prow" of the building.
- After grabbing your photo of the Turk, head into the Arcade for a coffee at New Harvest to warm up.