This sale involved an affiliate of Kaplan Early Learning Co. as the buyer, represented by Ben Bloodworth of Linville Team Partners, and the historic Goler Memorial AME Zion Church in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the seller, represented by Nick Gonzales and Aubrey Linville also of Linville Team Partners.
The Kaplan affiliate purchased the enrichment center and adjoining parking lot of the historic church. While the main church was not part of the sale, the transaction helped provide income to the church while creating a positive use for the community as a whole. As such, the sale has been selected by a panel of local industry professionals as the 2023 winner of the CoStar Impact Awards' sale/acquisition of the year for the Greensboro and Winston-Salem region.
Goler is one of the most significant African American churches in Winston-Salem. Its historic sanctuary building at 620 N. Patterson Ave. is in need of repair or redevelopment.
Kaplan Early Learning provides teachers and equipment for AlphaBEST Education Inc., which partners with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools. Its services include before- and after-school services at three local elementary schools. This includes instruction in coding, engineering, robotics, art, drama, Spanish language, Mandarin language, American Sign Language, fitness and sports activities.
About the Project: The former enrichment center of the historic Goler Memorial AME Zion Church at 630 N. Patterson St. in downtown Winston-Salem has been acquired by an affiliate of Kaplan Early Learning Co. to expand its school-support services in the city, while the sale proceeds can be used by the church to address some of the repair issues of its historic sanctuary building.
Judge's Comments: "The sale brought funds to the church for repair and provides a fantastic location for Kaplan to grow their services," said Ryan Conboy, a director with Cushman & Wakefield.
"I chose the Goler Church transaction because of its community impact by helping two local organizations. The first being Kaplan, which helps with education throughout Forsyth County, and the second being the church, which can use the funds to repair its historic sanctuary building and continue to worship at this location," said Jeff Jordan of Jordan Real Estate LLC.
"This property presented some unique and complex challenges to overcome and this deal was able to achieve an incredible end use for such a unique property," said Mark Owens, president and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
They Made It Happen: Ben Bloodworth of Linville Team Partners represented the buyer, while Nick Gonzales and Aubrey Linville, also of Linville Team Partners, represented the Goler Memorial AME Zion Church.
