Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP (SSRGA) announced that it served as legal counsel to St. John’s University on the successful closing of Wagner College’s $30 million acquisition of the former St. John’s University campus on Staten Island. The real estate transaction was finalized on Friday, May 22, concluding a highly coordinated and cooperative effort between both prominent educational institutions to preserve the 16.5-acre property for academic use.
SSRGA Managing Partner Jeffrey Schwartz and Partner Kelly Kulak led the legal strategy to navigate and close the complex institutional transaction.
The transaction expands Wagner College’s historic Grymes Hill presence, adding 10 state-of-the-art academic and administrative buildings to its inventory. The acquisition ensures that the campus, which was shuttered by St. John’s University in 2024, will remain an intellectual and community anchor for the borough of Staten Island.
“A transaction of this scale and importance required immense alignment and dedication. It was a remarkably cooperative deal structured by both Wagner College and St. John’s University, demonstrating how two storied institutions can work side-by-side to achieve a shared vision that serves the greater public good,” said Jeffrey Schwartz, Managing Partner of SSRGA. “We are incredibly proud to have guided this historic deal to a seamless conclusion.”
“Navigating the intricate details of an institutional campus transfer involves balancing unique regulatory, financial, and real estate complexities,” noted Kelly Kulak, Partner at SSRGA. “Transitioning the operational framework of 10 distinct academic buildings and 16.5 acres of land on tight timelines demands precision. Securing a definitive close today ensures that Wagner can immediately execute its vision, opening doors to students this coming autumn without the multi-year delays typical of standard development.”
About Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP (SSRGA)
With offices in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida, SSRGA is a full-service law firm with practice areas including real estate, real estate development, cooperative and condominium board representation, real estate-related and commercial litigation, health care, matrimonial, family law, appellate law, trusts and estates, probate administration, not-for-profit, corporate, landlord/tenant, financing, and intellectual property. For more information, visit SSRGA.com.