'Superman building’ is an abandoned building complex in Providence, Rhodes Island, USA. Industrial trust Co. Building, Industrial Trust Tower, Fleet Bank Building, and Bank of America Building are some of the many names the building has. Built-in 1925, Superman Building was left deserted in 2013 to date.

The story behind Superman Building

The site where the building stands today was first occupied by Butler Exchange Building built in the 1800s. The death of the exchange company later opened doors for the industrial trust company to build the would-be tallest building in the state of Rhodes Island. Construction of the 26-story complex took only a year from the ground-breaking ceremony. 

Despite being the tallest building, it also made history as the building that took the shortest time to construct. From its completion date to 1998, there were no changes in the building until Industrial Trust Company renamed it to Fleet Bank. It went by this name “Fleet Bank Tower’ for at least two decades. A rename and branding later occurred once more in 1998, when the building was leased to the Bank of America hence the name Bank of America tower.

Abandonment

In 2012, the long-term tenants, Bank of America vacated the building after failing to renew their lease with the owners. At this point, the building had become extremely dilapidated from lack of maintenance. This would later bring controversies between the local government and Bank of America. The issues were settled when Bank of America paid for the damages. From that day, the building went to a state of disuse to this date.

Was the building ever restored?

Superman Building changed hands once more with the new owners having plans to revive the historic structure to its former glory. The owners who were determined to turn the building into a residential and business complex have since given up on the dream. A proposal to raise funds for the renovation of the building from the public was met with high resistance, from both the government and locals.  Nothing of significance or development has been done on the building since it changed ownership. Currently, the building stands worthless in the middle of the street. Plans to put the building down have been there for a long time but no one is ready to finally approve it.

Hazards at the building

A great section of the structures has faced extreme vandalism and graffiti that has defaced it beyond recognition. It also attracts illegal activities and gangs. The building is closed and out of bounds to the general public. Though there is no life for the building, current owners have continued to raise money with hopes of one day renovating the building.