Who Is the Man Buying Up Providence’s East Side?
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
Who Is the Man Buying Up Providence’s East Side?
Bronhard, who once opened a chiropractic office in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, is now listed as the sole owner of dozens of properties throughout the city and many are clustered near Wayland Square, Brown University, and College Hill neighborhoods. Combined, and conservatively, estimates put the combined property values at more than $50 million.
SLIDES: SEE VALUES OF BRONHARD HOLDINGS BELOW
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Bronhard's holdings are not limited to the East Side. According to city records, he once owned the historic multi-million dollar Telephone Building on Union Street downtown, but recently sold that property in March of this year. The five-story was rehabbed into top level apartments.
While some of the properties are leased as luxury properties, others are marketed to college students - and the condition of those properties are among those that have come under criticism from neighborhood groups.
His real estate holdings often attract legal wranglings, as Bronhard is involved in dozens of lawsuits with him suing existing and former tenants - and tenants suing him.
“CHNA is currently investigating anti-slum-lord ordinances in other cities in hopes of sponsoring legislation to give the building department broader authority to inspect interior spaces based on repeat violations reported about the exterior,” said Josh Eisen, President of the College Hill Neighborhood Association.
The Providence Preservation Society has also heard concerns from neighbors. “Numerous Benefit Street property owners have contacted the PPS about the condition of multi-family properties and PPS is actively compiling data to see what the extent of that is," said Brent Runyon of the PPS.
“If a tenant is dealing with repeat code violations they can reach out to the Rhode Island Center for Justice to prosecute repeat offenders under the Landlord-Tenant Act,” said Eisen. “But tenants are often too intimidated or resource constrained to pursue action, so we are seeking to help neighbors ensure these historic properties are properly maintained inside by reporting problems they can see from the outside. Based on the survey completed by PPS, there are currently a lot of exterior problems.”
Bronhard did not respond to email and phone requests by GoLocal.
Campaign finance records show that Bronhard has given $18,000 to Rhode Island candidates and elected officials.
Bronhard's donations include annual $1,000 donations to Providence Mayors Angel Taveras, Jorge Elorza and to Governor Gina Raimondo.
Editor's Note: A previous version stated Bronhard currently owns the Telephone Building. At the time of publication, the tax assessor's office available online shows Bronhard still owning it; however it was purchased on March 31, 2017 by Telephone Building, LLC.
Walter Bronhard Providence Real Estate - As of 2017
19 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $447,500*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
34 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $1,155,700*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
110 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $842,500*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
122 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $688,300*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
161 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $1,073,900*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
12 Cady Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $460,100*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
280 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $599,500*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
308 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $887,700*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
344 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $630,400*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
372 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $521,400*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
376 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $668,400*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
378 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential:
Appraised Value: $673,200 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
167-169 George Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $389,700 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
23 James Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $503,200
266 Wickenden Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential:
Appraised Value: $583,800*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
169 Waterman Ave
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $593,800*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
112 Keene Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $852,000*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
240 Bowen Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Residential
Appraised Value: $497,900
Zillow: $752,344
89 Angell Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,591,700 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
182 Angell Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,028,300
136 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $192,700 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
296 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $822,900 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
302 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $758,400 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
314 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,366,500 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
350 Benefit Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $654,300 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
335 Angell Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $808,800 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
108 Waterman Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,661,000 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
110 Waterman Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,047,300*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
28 Pitman Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $524,800
140 Pitman Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $4,212,000*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
72 Prospect Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $1,279,300*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
5-7 Euclid Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $676,800*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
19 South Court
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $488,700
21 Planet Street
Location: East Side of Providence
Category: Luxury
Appraised Value: $492,500 *
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
49 Seekonk Street
Location: East Side
Category: Commerical
Appraised Value: $1,222,200*
* Appraised Value of the City of Providence
