Nick Churton from Residential Properties’ London office finds a chic Providence city home that takes him back to the movies.

The Property: 26 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island

The Broker: Residential Properties

The Agent: James DeRentis

I hope that Rhode Islanders won’t mind if I suggest that, in parts, their beautiful state capital, Providence, has a look of Boston about it. But I suppose it is hardly surprising, Boston was established in 1630 and Providence only 6 years later, the two cities are only 50 miles apart and share an elegant architecture imported by European settlers before and after the war of independence. College Hill in Providence, particularly, has echoes of Beacon Hill in Boston with charming Federal-style terraced and detached houses in tree-lined streets with brick pavements.

I first came across Beacon Hill in the1968 movie, The Thomas Crown Affair. Steve McQueen’s eponymous character had a very cool town house there. I was reminded of it when visiting 26 Benefit Street in Provincetown. It may have been smaller but, for me, somehow it had the essential Thomas Crown vibe – classy.

26 Benefit Street, Providence, is a comfortable home with a great deal of style and originality behind a handsome brick exterior. Internally it features part exposed-brick internal walls spread out on several half floors – creating an interior that is beautifully inter-connected. It makes for perfect and sophisticated solo, couple or small family living and intimate entertaining – with or without a chessboard!

Outside there is off-street parking for two cars. But there is hardly a need for cars as this lovely home is within walking distance of all the educational, arts and cultural amenities of this highly creative city.

So, whether you are a super-rich, super-bored bachelor planning an audacious bank heist or, far more probably, a highly law-abiding buyer looking for a perfect city home close to all amenities, including state governance, this could well be for you. I’ve made the introduction, now it’s your move.