Revitalization Underway for Historic Willoughby Union High School

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
By Stephanie Rohr, Marketing Assistant
In Design, Community

Restoration has begun on the historic Willoughby Union High School building located at 25 Public Square in Willoughby, Ohio. This project will transform the 45,146 square foot former school into an apartment building with a total of 40 market-rate units that include 4 studios, 35 one-bedroom apartments and 1 two-bedroom apartment. Included on this site will be 19 townhouses that will be sited north and west of the historic building.

Located in Wes Point Park in Downtown Willoughby’s Historic District, the site’s rich history is contributing to its revitalization. The project has earned $2MM in State Historic Tax credits that will help it become a valuable part of the Willoughby community again.

The site is the original home of four institutions of learning with the original building built in 1834 before being destroyed by a fire in 1856. The current structure was built in 1915 and has grown throughout the years in increments with a significant addition in 1929. Although it has been vacant for over a decade, it housed Willoughby Union High School for years.

Willoughby Union Realty, LLC is the new owner of this building, consisting of a joint partnership between principals from Amerimar Realty in Philadelphia and partners, Justin Gantz and Matt Sutter, at SōL Harris/Day Architecture. The total project investment is $21.4MM with the estimated rehabilitation budget of $9.5MM.

“We’re here for the city,” Gantz said. “This was spearheaded by them. We love this community. To revitalize this building, make it as great as it once was before and tie it back into the community — we’re thrilled to be able to do that.”

This project will provide the Willoughby community with multiple benefits. It not only brings an iconic building back to life, but also becomes income producing, generates property taxes, and the income from the new residents will increase the tax base and spending within the city…a real win for everyone.

“The Union High project is an opportunity to give people an urban experience, but a walkable experience,” said James Loveman, Principal at Amerimar Realty.

“Liberty Development is a big part of this,” commented Gantz. “They’re doing the 19 townhomes project adjacent to the High School site and we’ve worked hand in hand with Dru Siley, and his team to put this whole thing together.”

The interior will undergo significant changes to repurpose it into apartments with co-working spaces for the residents. Throughout the building, especially on the exteriors, historic details will be preserved and brought back to life, including the historic main entrance.

The anticipated completion will be the summer of 2025.

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