As of May of 2016, Longwood University is the owner of the bottom floor of Longwood Landings. Prior to the large purchase made in May, a private owner had owned the ground floor while Longwood owned the floors above hosting student apartments since being complete in 2006. The negotiation was made with the previous owner of the complex directly. Louise Waller, Executive Director of Campus Planning and Construction, further explains that the purchase came at a time that no other potential buyers were a factor.
Waller disclosed that the ground floor of the Longwood Landings was purchased for $7,750,000. The purchase included a new temporary space for the Health and Fitness Center in addition to being the owners of the other already occupied spaces that made up the complex. Longwood had been looking for a temporary gym facility since the original space is being used as a media center for the upcoming Vice Presidential Debate on Oct. 4.
“We acquired the property at a reasonable rate that was approximately the appraised value,” said Waller.
There was a mass email sent out to students on May 23, 2016 disclosing to students where the temporary location of the fitness facility was at Midtown Landings.
Now as the sole owners, Longwood currently holds the retail space, the neighboring lot on Main Street and the parking lot behind Longwood Landings. The retail space contains the Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Chick-fil-a, Sweet Frog and Subway to name a few.
“We (Longwood) really wanted to provide a location that was close to campus and obviously being right next to campus and having 408 students living above there, we felt the space was already a part of campus,” said Waller.
Waller described the purchase as having the “available square footage” that was needed for the project of a temporary fitness center.
“It was a great opportunity to keep at a close space to campus and meet our timeline,” added Waller.
As to what to do with the space once the original location for the Health and Fitness Center is re-opened to students, it has been discussed but has not yet been decided and cannot be disclosed at this time, according to Waller.
Upkeep of the new facility now includes a mortgage, electric bills, water bills and insurance, according to Waller.
“I think the space is a great temporary solution, and I think that we recognize that it’s not at the level of our permanent and lovely health and fitness center is but as a temporary location, I think it’s absolutely perfect,” added Waller.
As for the original Health and Fitness Center that is located on the outskirts of campus, it is set to reopen for the Spring semester. Since the space is already closed for the debate, Longwood has taken this opportunity to provide for some renovations on the ten-year old building. Waller explains that the space will be adding fully upgraded floors, which she feels is “an important upgrade.”
The temporary location for the Health and Fitness center is located at Midtown Square, otherwise known as the Longwood Landings, right next to Subway and across from Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Picture of window on the first floor of the Longwood Landings building
Picture of floor tiles inside of the Longwood Landings building
Picture of furniture on a floor inside of Longwood Landings which was already owned by Longwood.
Picture of a hallway in the upper section of the building where students live
