The former Skillman Southwestern Branch Library building sold Tuesday for $3.3 million at a live auction.
Catherine Wallace and Luis Martinez, the founders of Spanish World School, bought the property at the highest bid.
The Spanish World School is a private school that provides Spanish-language education for adults and children from preschool to fifth grade. The couple plans to open a preschool in the building to meet the high demand at their two other preschools, Wallace said.
“We’re just really honored to be able to continue growing our community,” Wallace told The Dallas Morning News. “We value diversity and authentic learning, and it’s such a beautiful experience that we’re thrilled that we’ll be able to continue and offer more families in the community.”
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Catherine Wallace and Luis Martinez, the founders of Spanish World School, bought the former Skillman Southwestern Branch Library building on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.
courtesy / Courtesy of Catherine Wallace
The Spanish World School has four campuses in Dallas, and one is a mile from the former library building. The 13,200-square-foot space is tucked between apartment complexes near The Village.
Once the sale is finalized, Wallace and Martinez plan to meet with their architect to determine the necessary renovations and develop a timeline for opening the new school.
It will take about 45 days for the sale to be finalized, according to staff with the auction firm Hudson & Marshall. About 60 people attended the auction at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Besides the library, five other properties were sold.
The library system has been under strain since budget decisions last year led to the permanent closure of the Skillman Southwestern branch, with books, computers and furniture reassigned to other locations.
In September, community members hosted a funeral for the library to say goodbye to the location.
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