Providence, Rhode Island

In the 1870s it was popular among American town governments to construct civic buildings in the French Empire style, emanating Napoleon III’s makeover of Paris in the style of Louis XIV. It was also popular a half-century later to start tearing down the old 19th century city halls in favor of more classical designs. One that survived was the Providence City Hall and after it evaded a planned demolition at mid-century, it even received a meticulous restoration and looks much as it did when it was completed to the plans of Boston architect Samuel J.F. Thayer in 1878 - right down to the original color scheme of olive green, maroon and tan.