News
Winter Park, Fla. (March 7, 2022) – More than five years ago, plans were laid for The Geneva School’s eventual move to its Legacy Park campus in Casselberry. Foundry Commercial was tapped by the classical Christian school at the time to assist with the real estate transactions related to that move, which has been unfolding in phases since 2017.
Today, Foundry Commercial is pleased to announce the sale of the Geneva School’s longtime lower school campus, located at 2025 S.R. 436 in Winter Park, as the third phase of the build-out at the Legacy Park campus marches toward completion. In the Fall of 2022, students and administrators for Geneva’s lower school will join the upper school campus at the 1775 Seminola Boulevard location in Casselberry. The new campus – for which Foundry Commercial has assisted in the development – features art and music rooms, a media center, administrative suites, as well as flexible learning spaces.
As The Geneva School prepared for the eventual move to the new campus, they looked to Foundry to market and sell it’s 40,300-square-foot Winter Park campus. Situated on nearly four acres in the desirable Orlando sub-market, the property features 25 classrooms, teacher workrooms, administrative offices, a gymnasium, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, a library, art room, science room, and music room.
This Fall, the property will become the home of both Highlands Latin and Chesterton Academy of Orlando classical schools. Highlands Latin is a private, classical, Christian school, and Chesterton Academy of Orlando is another classical academy for students in grades 9 – 12.
Foundry Commercial boasts an entire segment specializing in serving religious, education and not-for-proit groups with their real estate needs, representing more than 20 denominations and over 3,000 organizations across the country. From brokerage and asset management to construction oversight and many services in between, Foundry Commercial’s Religious, Education, and Not-for-Profit Group was tapped to represent both the buyer and seller in the transaction.
Matt Messier, SIOR, CCIM, Foundry Principal and leader of the firm’s Religious, Education, and Not-for-Profit Group, represented The Geneva School, while Foundry Senior Vice President Joey Blakley represented the buyer.
“It has been a pleasure working with The Geneva School to see their vision for an amazing K – 12 campus become a reality, and we have enjoyed playing a role in helping to make that happen,” stated Messier. “The nuances of educational real estate can be challenging at times, but we’re grateful for the school’s trust in our team to help them through these periods of transition.”
Foundry Commercial has a long-standing history with The Geneva School, having handled the original site selection and transaction for the Winter Park location, including planning, design, engineering, permitting, construction, and move-in. In the recent transaction, Foundry’s owner representation service provided primary oversight and – due to the history with the property – was able to help minimize the due diligence period which led to an efficient closing.
With the addition of The Geneva School’s Lower School Academic Building as well as a recently constructed gymnasium, The Geneva School’s K-12 campus is now complete. While students attending Geneva’s lower school complete their academic year through May 2022, the school will lease back the property from the new owner.
“Geneva has been on a journey for 29 years, and Foundry has helped us throughout – from acquiring our first property in 2003, our main 42-acre campus property in 2005, and the sale of the Winter Park campus most recently,” said John Riley, Chairman of The Geneva School Board of Governors. “We are thrilled that Highlands Latin and Chesterton Academy of Orlando classical schools will continue the legacy of Christian education at this property.”