Written by Managing Partner Nelson Taylor (Pictured 291 Oxford St, Providence, RI 02905)
If not you’re not a New Englander, chances are that you might be confused by the term “Triple Decker”. Having grown up in Texas, the concept was foreign to me when I moved here 23 years ago. This is a type of housing stock popular throughout the East Coast, especially in urban centers—three levels, three separate apartments, three exterior porches, usually 2 or 3 beds and 1 bath per floor, double living rooms, spacious kitchens and generally 1,000 to 1,400 sqft per floor. Triple Deckers have an interesting and important local history.
At the turn into the 20th century, due to the Industrial Revolution, business was booming in the region, and immigrants in search of better economic opportunities for their families began relocating in droves. Immigrants at this time came mostly from Canada, Portugal, Italy and Eastern Europe to work in the local mills. In 1900, per capita, Rhode Island was the richest state in the country. But the population boom created a serious shortage in housing.
Over the next few decades, from the early 1900s through the early 1920s, Triple Deckers became the preferred housing stock for immigrants. Three-family homes became the pathway for many to the American middle class, homeownership historically being not only an important key to generational wealth, but the biggest factor in the creation of stable communities. Not only were the homes inexpensive, but ownership could be subsidized by leasing the other two units (to either tenants or family), which helped pay the bills. By passing down the homes to their children, these first generation immigrants set the foundations for future success.
But not everyone agreed that Triple Deckers were a positive addition to the local housing stock. Xenophobic campaigns exploded. Triple Deckers seemed to threaten New England’s strict social orders. Instead of fostering assimilation, they promoted ethnic enclaves. Triple Deckers became the poster child for poor moral fiber, questionable familial relationships and the spread of disease. Movements launched to ban them. The Immigration Restriction League was formed. And in 1912, The National Housing Association lobbied against them. In 1917, the Providence Chamber of Commerce reported: “it lessens one’s social standing to be rated as a three-decker dweller.” In the 19-teens 36 municipalities in Massachusetts outlawed construction of Triple Deckers. Connecticut and Rhode island followed suit. In 1923, Providence made the building of Triple Deckers illegal.
While most of these laws were reversed within the next few decades, Triple Deckers experienced another blow during the urban flight era of the 1950s. Urban Renewal efforts bulldozed many Triple Deckers that had been abandoned within urban centers. Triple Deckers might have been eradicated entirely if it were not for the creation of the condominium, as many of these properties were broken up legally into separate units, allowing for a new generation of inexpensive home ownership. Today, Triple Deckers are prevalent in most Rhode Island communities, and they remain a solid option for owner-occupants looking for help with their mortgage and for investors looking to build a new generation of wealth.
For a deeper dive into the complicated history of Triple Decker homes, you can walk through an exhibit at the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket, watch the documentary film Triple Decker: A New England Love Story or read the book Tenemental: Adventures of a Reluctant Landlady, by Vikki Warner, an owner of a three-family home in Providence’s Armory District.
At the turn into the 20th century, due to the Industrial Revolution, business was booming in the region, and immigrants in search of better economic opportunities for their families began relocating in droves. Immigrants at this time came mostly from Canada, Portugal, Italy and Eastern Europe to work in the local mills. In 1900, per capita, Rhode Island was the richest state in the country. But the population boom created a serious shortage in housing.
Over the next few decades, from the early 1900s through the early 1920s, Triple Deckers became the preferred housing stock for immigrants. Three-family homes became the pathway for many to the American middle class, homeownership historically being not only an important key to generational wealth, but the biggest factor in the creation of stable communities. Not only were the homes inexpensive, but ownership could be subsidized by leasing the other two units (to either tenants or family), which helped pay the bills. By passing down the homes to their children, these first generation immigrants set the foundations for future success.
But not everyone agreed that Triple Deckers were a positive addition to the local housing stock. Xenophobic campaigns exploded. Triple Deckers seemed to threaten New England’s strict social orders. Instead of fostering assimilation, they promoted ethnic enclaves. Triple Deckers became the poster child for poor moral fiber, questionable familial relationships and the spread of disease. Movements launched to ban them. The Immigration Restriction League was formed. And in 1912, The National Housing Association lobbied against them. In 1917, the Providence Chamber of Commerce reported: “it lessens one’s social standing to be rated as a three-decker dweller.” In the 19-teens 36 municipalities in Massachusetts outlawed construction of Triple Deckers. Connecticut and Rhode island followed suit. In 1923, Providence made the building of Triple Deckers illegal.
While most of these laws were reversed within the next few decades, Triple Deckers experienced another blow during the urban flight era of the 1950s. Urban Renewal efforts bulldozed many Triple Deckers that had been abandoned within urban centers. Triple Deckers might have been eradicated entirely if it were not for the creation of the condominium, as many of these properties were broken up legally into separate units, allowing for a new generation of inexpensive home ownership. Today, Triple Deckers are prevalent in most Rhode Island communities, and they remain a solid option for owner-occupants looking for help with their mortgage and for investors looking to build a new generation of wealth.
For a deeper dive into the complicated history of Triple Decker homes, you can walk through an exhibit at the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket, watch the documentary film Triple Decker: A New England Love Story or read the book Tenemental: Adventures of a Reluctant Landlady, by Vikki Warner, an owner of a three-family home in Providence’s Armory District.
