‘Wellness services planned for New Rochelle’

     
MW Bro. William M. Sardone, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, released a brief statement today on the subject of the acquisition of the campus of the former College of New Rochelle (see previous two Magpie posts). Excerpted:


“For several years and with the support of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, the Trustees have been searching for a suitable site closer to the Metropolitan New York City area. This long-range plan was to bring some of the services available in Utica, New York closer to Masons who live in the New York City area. When it was learned that the former campus of the College of New Rochelle became available, it was acknowledged that this property would not only provide that opportunity, but also wellness services to a larger community.”
     

‘Bankruptcy court approves Grand Lodge college purchase’

     

Courtesy WCBS/Channel 2

Today a New York bankruptcy court approved Grand Lodge’s $32 million purchase at auction of the defunct College of New Rochelle campus in Westchester.

News story here.

Now we await an announcement from the 17th floor disclosing our fraternity’s intention for the property.

More Magpie information here.
     

‘Grand Lodge acquiring defunct college property’

     
UPDATED INFO HERE.

Courtesy Bloomberg News

With a winning bid of $32 million, the Grand Lodge of New York prevailed days ago in an auction of the 16-acre campus of the former College of New Rochelle, according to a news report published late last night.

No, me neither.

Courtesy Westchester Magazine

No title has been transferred yet. Tomorrow a hearing in bankruptcy court will convene to discuss approval of this plan. The College of New Rochelle went bankrupt in September in a criminal financial fraud leaving behind liabilities of approximately $80 million.

The buyer actually is the Masonic Hall & Asylum Fund, which is the corporation entrusted with the management of Grand Lodge’s real properties, from Masonic Hall in Manhattan to the Masonic Care Community in Utica, and also DeWint House and Camp Turk.

Courtesy Athletic Business

Campus Wellness Center.

The property is located in Westchester County, located northeast of Manhattan and near the Connecticut border, less than 20 miles from midtown via I-95.

Courtesy New York Times

Leland Castle, built in the 1850s and landmarked, is part of the campus. 

Read all about it here. These photos of the campus are culled from assorted news sources.