What’s Happening on the Nerinx Campus?

Since the last residents of the St. Louis Loretto Center moved in 2017 and the property was sold to Nerinx Hall, many people have asked, “What’s happening on the Nerinx campus?”

Over the past year, as plans for demolition of the Center building were completed, the Nerinx Board of Directors engaged in strategic planning for both a master campus plan and a capital campaign.

In March, the board approved a school expansion plan which addresses the highest priorities: science labs, more usable classroom space, better learning commons and multipurpose space.

Major donors already are pledging toward new construction even before the official start of the capital campaign.

Project segments will begin in summer 2020 with a realignment of parking and the circle drive on the north side.

This will be followed by construction of a two-story addition for classrooms and science labs on the south side.

By the 2024 centennial year for Nerinx Hall, plans call for a glass-framed multipurpose/dining addition in front of the gym, where the stained-glass windows from the Loretto Center chapel will be installed.

Much attention is being given to the campus green spaces, with preservation of trees, introduction of native shrubs and rain gardens to aid in water retention. 

Lockwood House, newly visible from the street, is a welcoming sight for visitors.

At the school open house on Nov. 3, more than 340 families of prospective students were greeted at the front porch and ushered into the historical hallways of Nerinx where they saw images of the future the Class of 2024 will help create.