New housing built for Jesuits at Gonzaga, Gonzaga Prep
Gonzaga University unveiled a new $13 million, 36,000-square-foot residential facility for Jesuits serving Gonzaga and Gonzaga Preparatory School. The facility will serve primarily as a residence for people teaching at the schools, but also will house Jesuits working in other ministries around the area.
The Della Strada Jesuit Community of Spokane, 1207 N. Astor St., is a home and “spiritual haven for Jesuits” and will open later this fall. Twenty of its rooms are for Jesuits, with another two rooms for visitors of the residents.
Pete Tormey, associate director of public and university relations, said the new building is a way for the university to “reaffirm the centrality of the Jesuit identity for Gonzaga.”
“That’s a big part of creating this building,” said Tormey, adding the building also will have “reflecting space” and office space.
The building’s name is Italian for “our lady of the way” and refers to a specific artistic representation of the Madonna and child.
The new structure was designed to tie in with the look and feel of the rest of campus. Its facade is made of stone and brick.
“It’s in a prominent part of campus. It’s real close to St. Al’s,” said Tormey, referring to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, the landmark church on campus that was built more than 100 years ago.
BAR Architects, of San Francisco, and Bernardo|Wills Architects, of Spokane, designed the building. Walker Construction, of Spokane, was the general contractor.
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