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The conversion of obsolete school buildings into modern luxury condos is happening throughout the country. These buildings with high-ceilings, large windows, steel infrastructure, stone facades and room for parking are attractive for reuse as loft-style conversions.

Selling public school buildings to private developers has in many cases proven controversial in the community. Residents who attended the school in their formative years have deep emotional ties and feel a loss with the change in use. Many in the community would like to see schools kept in the public sector and reused for other municipal purposes including community centers, senior centers and charter schools.

The benefits of school redevelopment into residential uses can bring many benefits to the community. For obsolete structures, the municipality can sell the property and eliminate the ongoing maintenance expenses associated with an older school building.

The municipality also converts a tax-exempt property into one which can generate significant incremental tax revenue. Redevelopment also allows the municipality to avoid the expense of tearing down an older structure.

Many communities search for a compromise between activist groups and developers by requiring that a certain number of the units in a new conversion project fit aside as affordable housing. This model works seems to work very well and offers a good means for compromise between developer and community.

Washington, DC is 1 of the leading urban markets for the conversion of school buildings into upscale residential developments. The ongoing gentrification of the District has led to families being priced unwrapping of the city, resulting in a significant surplus of school property.

After redevelopment, many of the projects in DC have been marketed as loft-style condominiums. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is home to several of these schoolhouse conversion projects including: Bryan School Lofts; Carberry School Lofts; Lenox School Lofts and Lovejoy Lofts.