School Buildings for Sale
Aside from the fact that the school had to close in the first place, I love this story.
Speaking from the unique new home of his electronic business TAB Funkenwerks, [Oliver Archut] tells his story in a deep European accent: “On CNN I saw a documentary that the heartland of the United States is bleeding out. The schools are empty, the hospitals are empty. And they pretty much said that they were giving it away. That’s when I told my wife, find me a school.”
So with a few keystrokes, Oliver’s wife and business partner Gwen went to the place to people go when they’re looking to get a deal on something totally random.
“I just threw in school on e-Bay and there it was,” says perky Gwen from her office. “I was shocked. I had to speak with people three times before I actually believed the price they had said.”
The price for the 30-thousand square foot former school: 25 grand. Too good to pass up. So the Archuts packed up their shop in Seattle, headed east, and didn’t stop until they were in Gaylord, Kansas.
“There was no way you’re going to find a 30-thousand square foot anything in Seattle for 25 thousand dollars,” Gwen says. “That’s a minimum three million dollar investment.”
So they bought the school and relocated their business from Seattle, Washington (Population 600,000) to Gaylord, Kansas (Population 145). They say that they have everything that they need in Gaylord: high speed internet, UPS service, potential employees, and a very low cost of doing business.
Gwen and Oliver aren’t the only ones buying old rural schools for new business ventures. There’s others too.
And now for the best part. Have a business idea? You too can buy an old rural school on ebay. There is about half a dozen for sale right now. Gaylord, Kansas set a trend though because schools are bringing more than $25,000 these days.
May 29th, 2006 21:37
Imagine the great irony that would be if a school closed, and a subsequent purchase of the school by a business resulted in an increase in the number of school aged children in a rural district.
March 25th, 2007 21:33
WHERE ARE OTHER RURAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS?
August 18th, 2007 20:41
The City of Shelby Iowa has a 3 story 42,000 sq. ft. school building for sale.
check out their web site for more details.
August 21st, 2007 20:31
My family has an old school building 32,000 sf for sale in rural southwest Oklahoma. Email me if intersted (tgaden@stillwaterpm.com
August 21st, 2007 20:32
My family has an old school building 32,000 sf for sale in rural southwest Oklahoma. Email me if intersted (tgaden@stillwaterpm.com)
September 10th, 2007 02:29
Dear Tami Gaden: Hello!!! Would you please email about your family’s school building For Sale/ please describe, location, condition, size or acres of property, proximity to large towns, population, terms, purchase price, ect. I look forward to your reply. Thanks. Sincerely, Carman S. Tighe Isaiah 54:17 PS. And if possible/ would you Email me several Photos.
September 10th, 2007 03:18
Dear Tami Gaden: Hello!!! Would you please email me about your family’s school building/ For Sale/ please describe, location, condition, size or acres of property, proximity to large towns, population, terms, purchase price, ect. I look forward to your reply. Thanks. Sincerely, Carman S. Tighe Isaiah 54:17 PS. And if possible/ would you Email me several Photos.
September 11th, 2007 17:08
Ms. Tighe
Hello - Thanks so much for your post. Would you please email me at tgaden@stillwaterpm.com. I cannot seem to send you email through the website, I think my filters are too strong. :). I would be glad to visit with you about the property, as well as share information and photographs. Thanks so much.
September 13th, 2007 11:27
I would love to find a school for my family so if anyone has one available please send me information about it. Including location, size, price, condition and pictures if available.
Send to sharon@walkersquawker.net Thanks
October 13th, 2007 10:52
I would love to find an old school for sale in the Midwest. Preferably WI, MN, or IN. I saw a really nice school building in a recent trip to Indiana. It had several broken windows, but I loved the brick and detailing. If anyone knows of any, please send me a note at etfbs@yahoo.com. THANKS!
October 26th, 2007 16:33
I am interested in finding an old school building somewhere in the north/south west…So if anyone has or knows of one please e-mail me at seybolddebbie@hotmail.com
Thank-you..
October 26th, 2007 16:35
I have always wanted to buy an old school house, and I am very interested in finding an old school building somewhere in the north/south west…So if anyone has or knows of one please e-mail me at seybolddebbie@hotmail.com
Thank-you..
November 9th, 2007 21:05
There is a 19,000 square foot, 3 story plus the basement gymnasium in central Iowa for sale in a small town near Des Moines. It sits on 6 acres, in a town with a population of around 14 people. It is listed at www.IowaRealty.com under acreages.
November 19th, 2007 16:50
Hello all. I just read this blog and emailed a couple of you the information. I have an old schoolhouse for sale, its 22,000 sq. ft and sits on 1.2 acres, it is very close to downtown Indianapolis and IUPUI. This is a great development project for someone who loves history and architecture and is looking for a building.
You can email me at sjarvis@urbanspaceusa.com or call me at 317.423.1111 x 3. There is also information on this website http://listing.loopnet.com/14827916
THANK YOU!
November 19th, 2007 18:58
I am not sure if my earlier post will publish so here it is again. I have a schoolhouse for sale in Indianapolis, IN. Its an amazing larger school, built in 1922. 22,000 sq. ft on 1.2 acres, great for a condo or office conversion. Student housing or mixed use.
Please contact me for additional information. 317.423.1111 x 3 or sjarvis@urbanspaceusa.com
November 20th, 2007 15:07
Below is a link to the listing website, it has photos, etc.
http://listing.loopnet.com/14827916
December 28th, 2007 15:14
Want a Canadian K-12 school for sale (mostly)in a tiny (10-500)community? The schools range from small to large… 8000-30,000 sqft We just bot one 21,000sqft on 14.3 acres… but heating cost alone is $1/sqft/yr. 2-5 more schools will be available this month coming and I think I know where they will be listed but if you write I can tell you when they are listed. manager @pacificway.org
January 2nd, 2008 09:10
We are looking for an old school house in TN. Thanks. lauraleigh55@hotmail.com
January 4th, 2008 12:11
My wife would like to sell her 17,000 sq ft school in Rapid City, South Dakota. Original building was built in 1912, with an addition in the 1920’s and another addition in the 1930’s. The exterior is all brick with large windows. 2/3 of the floors are maple. call 605 394 0011 for details.
January 6th, 2008 00:44
We have been looking for a former school building for sale. Should be in good phsical condition and include gymnasium. Prefer small town property with close proximity to larger town or city. Have cash. Serious properties only. Please respond to aj_1926@yahoo.com. Pictures and contact information preferred.
January 15th, 2008 21:21
Elite tumbling and trampolist is looking for a school or building for sale or lease that has a large space and high ceiling in eastern Nebraska/western Iowa area. Minimum size 150 by 50 ft. Please contact dnara58342aol.com. Thanks
January 15th, 2008 21:36
Elite tumbling and trampolist is looking for a school or building for sale or lease that has a large space and high ceiling in eastern Nebraska/western Iowa area. Minimum size 150 by 50 ft. Please contact dnara5834@aol.com. Thanks
January 16th, 2008 11:10
There is a 11,500 squre foot school building for sale in southeastern Ohio near a small town called Hackney. The building sits on about 5 acres and is in good condition. It has a gymnasium, cafeteria, three classrooms, offices, and a library. It is going to be sold at a public auction on January 26, 2008. It was part of the Fort Frye School District in Beverly, Ohio. You can Google the school name and get a number to call for questions concerning the sale. The school was closed because of the low number of students attending, not because the building was in bad shape.
January 23rd, 2008 16:11
my sister and i are thinking of buying an old school to live in and build our business in any tips!
January 24th, 2008 21:24
I have a Nice school house for sale 1200sf. all brick it is located in curryville missouri on hwy 54 which is 70 north of saint louis call bob 317-694-2187
February 10th, 2008 23:08
Hi my family is looking for a school in Kansas. If anyboday knows of a possibility please let me know. My email is bjl.martin@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Jill
March 8th, 2008 08:32
I am looking for School property for sale/lease in Wisconsin.Working condition.
March 8th, 2008 08:36
I am looking for School Building for sale/lease
in Wisconsin. My e-mail is nyc888@aol.com
Thanks.
Mike
May 2nd, 2008 12:32
I have a 47000 SF school builing on 14.5 acres for sale or lease in Western Ky. All offers considered. Nice rural area just 60 minutes north of Nashville. No restrictions & low taxes. If interested, please call me at 813-965-2157. e-mail: pmawc@tampabay.rr.com
Brian
May 29th, 2008 21:24
I have an old (1845) brick school building, at one time the largest college in Ohio. It is located in Hayesville, Ohio about 10 miles south of Ashland, 60 miles south of Cleveland near I71. See a PICTURE at “Vermillion Institute - Irishgeneology” site. Inside much of the floors and beams would need replacing as for years the building had roof problems not fixed by a prior owner. Would be sold “as is” No bathrooms, no running water….relatively untouched by progress. On the national historic register… would qualify for tax credits. Mike @ Michaelalcox@yahoo.com
June 10th, 2008 23:55
Anyone know of a school for sale in northern california anywhere let me know. email to kennyg4626@aol.com
June 25th, 2008 11:56
I am interested in finding an old school house, fire house, or library to buy in Oklahoma. Please email me if you have any information christina-eichstedt@hotmail.com
July 15th, 2008 22:17
We are looking for a campus for our Bible School and an old school building would be perfect. If you have one please let us know.
Thank You
July 15th, 2008 22:29
Our web site is streamofgod.com & our e-mail address is info@streamofgod.com
July 15th, 2008 22:40
Our contact info is www.streamofgod.com & e-mail at ralphcotterill@gmail.com
September 4th, 2008 17:47
Looking for an old one room school house in Iowa. Summers@netins.net.
September 25th, 2008 16:04
We are looking for a school in Tennessee for sale and will consider anything …call Derek 615-567-6708
November 27th, 2008 22:59
Looking for old school in Northern Alabama to convert to a residence. Email me at Ladyluv2003_1@yahoo.com
November 27th, 2008 23:01
Looking for old school in Northern Alabama to convert to a residence. Email me at Ladyluv2003_1@yahoo.com
December 19th, 2008 19:52
I have a 47000 SF school builing on 14.5 acres for sale or lease in Western Ky. All offers considered. Nice rural area just 60 minutes north of Nashville. No restrictions & low taxes. If interested, please call me at 813-965-2157. e-mail: pmawc@tampabay.rr.com