NEW YORK — An extensive two-year renovation to the Immaculate Conception Province’s Padua Friary on Thompson Street here was recently completed. Ten friars moved into their new home earlier this month.
The renovation includes installation of a new elevator on the north side of the friary facing West Houston Street. The elevator, accessible from the street level, will make the building completely handicap-accessible, and will also carry riders to the roof level of the friary where a solarium/recreation room is being added, according to the Immaculate Conception newsletter.
Within the friary, two additional bedrooms have been added, the chapel has been redesigned, and the entire ground floor (including the former kitchen and dining room) has been completely reconfigured to allow for maximum space usage.
All the new features, except the rooftop rooms, opened for use this month. The friars moved in during the week of April 7, said Provincial Minister Robert Campagna, OFM. Among them is Joseph LaGressa, OFM, who lived in the Gemelli House community in Silver Spring for the past 12 years, and who will be cook in the new friary.
The Province has four other friaries in Manhattan: St. Anthony on Sullivan Street, Most Precious Blood on Mulberry Street, St. Clare Friary on 36th Street, and Provincial Curia on Thompson Street.