Spokane-based Trek Architecture is investing heavily in Spokane's Sprague Union District with a new office project and more developments in the works in the neighborhood, says Evan Verduin, co-owner and principal of Trek Architecture.

Currently, Trek Architecture is nearing the finish line for tenant improvements at a 2,500-square-foot corporate office, located at 1802 E. Sprague, in Spokane, where the company has invested over $500,000 in renovations that are expected to be complete late this month, says Verduin.

"(The neighborhood) is really niche. It's sandwiched between the freeway and the river and then sandwiched between Freya Street and the Hamilton interchange," he says. "It can almost be a challenge to get to unless you're seeking it out, so it's sort of the best-kept secret in Spokane."

Commercial space in the mixed-use building previously was occupied by a vintage retail outlet. Minor updates were required for the six residential units above the commercial unit, where most of the improvements were focused. Updates to the commercial space include elevated ceilings, an open work area, a new exercise room for employees, a social stair for gatherings and presentations, new bathrooms, and a mezzanine with an employee lounge area.

The new office will feature a modern design using cross-laminated timber that has been adapted to various uses inside the space, such as within office columns, walls, and on the staircase that will showcase the versatility of the construction material to clients.

"The client can see it and feel it and touch it and then understand if it's the right product for a project," he says. "We see the future trending toward cross-laminated timber as an alternative construction material."

Yost Gallagher Construction LLC, of Spokane, is the general contractor for the East Sprague office project.

The three-story, mixed-use building was purchased for $990,000 in 2022 by two real estate investment and development entities: Spokane-based Seven Too Many 1802 LLC, which is governed by Verduin and his wife, Shelby, and Burien, Washington-based Union District Ventures 1802 LLC, according to Washington state tax information.

Union District Ventures is comprised of a group of investors, including Verduin, who have previous development experience and have joined to tackle projects in the Sprague Union District as well as in other Spokane communities, he says.

"My partners aren't all from Spokane. They come from across the country," says Verduin. "(Spokane) has a lot of room for growth and investment potential versus investing in a major market like Seattle or Portland, Oregon. We've been able to gather resources, along with my skill set in architecture, to start designing and developing some of our own work."

Next door to Trek Architecture's new office, at 1806 E. Sprague, Verduin envisions another development opportunity. The property, a one-story, 1,000-square-foot retail building, was purchased for $160,000 in September 2022 by Union District Ventures 1806 LLC, Washington state tax records show.

"We will see this going up six stories with a really cool mixed-use building right next to it. I think that is going to help contribute to creating this dynamic community where we have more people living in it and working in it," he says.

Founded in 2013 as Make Architecture, Studio Called Make LLC, the business has been rebranded as Trek Architecture to avoid a naming conflict with a California-based company, notes Verduin.

At first, Trek Architecture was established with two employees and has since grown to a staff of five.

The new office space leaves room for future workforce expansion for up to a staff of 12, he says.

"For me, it's all about building something where my employees would want to buy in from the beginning," says Verduin of the company's new office. "They're about building up the Trek brand ... and that sort of creates a level of investment from my team."

The company provides architectural, design, and development services for multifamily, commercial, and custom residential projects. Verduin has been strategic about growing the company at a steady pace by being selective about the clients Trek works with and finding the right development opportunities to be involved in.

"We're ... looking for opportunities to develop primarily focused in our neighborhood," he adds.

Billings at Trek Architecture have increased year-over-year since the company was established, however this year, Verduin says that billings have leveled somewhat. 

"As we look forward to 2025, we see that picking back up," says Verduin.

-Trek Architecture
The Northern Lights residential community, designed by Trek Architecture, includes 23 townhouse-style units built above an 18,000-square-foot parking structure on Schweitzer Mountain.

Some projects that Trek Architecture is involved in this year include a 63-unit apartment building on North Riverpoint Boulevard, in Spokane's University District, tentatively dubbed Riverpoint Multifamily; and the Split Rock Flats, a 30-unit, three-building multifamily complex, at the west end of Spokane's Peaceful Valley neighborhood. 

The company also has projects on Schweitzer Mountain, near Sandpoint, Idaho; a mixed-use project in Kennewick, Washington; a student housing project in Eugene, Oregon; and a residence in Jackson, Wyoming.

Verduin's interest in the Sprague Union District began with an opportunity to design Spokane-based Wake Up Call Inc.'s corporate headquarters, located at 1722 E. Sprague, where Trek Architecture worked with developer Steve Schmautz, owner of Spokane-based SDS Realty Inc., on the project.

The development gave Verduin an opportunity to explore and learn more about the Sprague Union District, where he says he was inspired by the neighborhood's potential.

"Seeing what the developer of this building did with Wake Up Call put this neighborhood on the map for us, and seeing the amount of investment ... gave us a sense of confidence that this neighborhood is going to continue to grow and flourish," Verduin says.

The East Sprague office is the fourth location Trek Architecture has moved to in 11 years of operation. 

"There's a real sense of ownership and pride in the district," says Verduin. "That allows it to continue to improve and flourish and attract new businesses." 

Trek Architecture has expanded its offices strategically over time from a small executive suite in the Liberty Building, at 203 N. Washington; to a 650-square-foot office, followed by a 1,200-square-foot office, both of which were located in the Pacific States Electric Building, at 122 S. Monroe; culminating in the purchase and renovation of the East Sprague building, where the company plans to stay for the next five to 10 years, he says.

"We're very invested in the community at large," says Verduin. "We're putting our money where our mouth is, which is a significant indicator of how serious we are about the neighborhood."