As students across America shoulder their backpacks and say goodbye to summer vacations, a group of young men will be returning to their beloved school for what may be the last time. Collegiate School, founded in 1628, is the oldest school in America and has been operating out of the same facility on the Upper West Side of Manhattan since 1892. The property was sold in late August to the West End Collegiate Church, a Protestant church with ties to the school dating back more than 100 years. The property sold for $125 million, according to sources at The Real Deal .
The school began searching for a new home as early as 2006, when the neighboring church exercised their right to take back a portion of the school’s campus. The school has since purchased land at 301 Freedom Place South (between 61st and 62nd streets and east of Riverside Boulevard) where they plan to begin construction on a new 10 story building. The new facilities will significantly increase the amount of space per student and will provide a number of much needed amenity upgrades, including more student access to outdoor space.
The West End Collegiate Church has submitted plans to convert the old school buildings into 66 apartment units, adding to the current multifamily building boom in New York City. With rents approaching all-time highs on the island of Manhattan, the church plans to dedicate its new rental income to support its various charitable programs.
