Elon University Purchases Several Buildings in Downtown Greensboro

There are five colleges and universities in the downtown Greensboro, including Elon Law School. Officials from Elon University recently announced it is expanding its downtown campus.

Elon University has purchased seven buildings and a parking lot along North Greene Street in downtown Greensboro. The properties are near the university's law school.

“We knew that with the programs expanding that it was a good strategic and long-term move to acquire these properties that became available. The properties are in a block north of the law school and they will be used for future program expansion. We don't have any specific uses for the properties immediately, but we know we will be using them sometime in the near future as the programs require that additional space,” says Dan Anderson, vice president for university communications at Elon University.

Anderson says there are four businesses leasing the buildings and they will continue to operate in their current location.

The properties were purchased from LaRose Properties for just under $1.9 million. The funding came from a financial partnership between Elon University and the Bryan Foundation in Greensboro.

Anderson says the university's expansion plans are enhancing the city's downtown revitalization efforts.

“The original law school building combined with the other new facilities we have purchased really makes for a large downtown Greensboro campus for Elon University. It's really part of a big effort to revitalize downtown Greensboro in so many ways.  We are happy to be part of that and to bring faculty and students into the downtown area, which certainly has led to the growth of many other businesses that support students and faculty,” says Anderson.

Enrollment at Elon University School of Law has been steady since it opened in 2006. Currently, there are around 300 students. Two years ago, Elon University also acquired three vacant warehouses and office buildings along Commerce Place. Those properties were demolished and turned into an attractive green space.