Aquinas Hall, college’s first residence hall, gets a makeover
Aquinas Hall, college’s first residence hall, gets a makeover
Aquinas Hall, built in 1933 as the college’s first residence hall and just the second building on campus, in is in the midst of a major makeover.
From the exterior, the most visible change is the new windows on the building’s southern wing (toward the War Memorial Grotto and St. Dominic Chapel). Inside, there are new walls and flooring in student rooms, new bathrooms, and an updated first-floor laundry. The lounge was refurbished and air-conditioned. Stained glass windows were cleaned in the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies, once Aquinas Chapel. Behind the scenes, there were mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology improvements.
About 325 students live in Aquinas. During the summer of 2026, work was completed on the southern half the building. The northern wing will be renovated during the summer of 2027.
Through the years, Aquinas housed all student activities, a student cafeteria, and Development of Western Civilization lectures.
“There is a lot of emotion attached to this building,” said Mark Rapoza ’90SCE, assistant vice president for capital projects and facilities planning. “Whether it be anticipation of Civ finals, the joy of weddings in Aquinas Chapel, or the grief and sadness of the lives lost in the 1977 fire, the building is iconic.
“Over the years, Aquinas Hall has become a major part of the fabric of Providence College. It was time to give this building some respect, and that is what we are aiming to do.”
