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Utah’s oldest school hits the market, unlocking 5 acres for redevelopment in coveted SLC neighborhood

This campus near 9th and 9th was originally built in 1921.

(Trent Nelson  |  The Salt Lake Tribune) This Rowland Hall campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. The property is now up for sale, and the school plans to move its operations to its new campus near Sunnyside Avenue and Guardsman Way next school year.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) This Rowland Hall campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. The property is now up for sale, and the school plans to move its operations to its new campus near Sunnyside Avenue and Guardsman Way next school year.

Rowland Hall’s campus, a fixture near 9th and 9th since 1921, is up for sale.

The private school sold the building to another owner in December 2024 as part of the transition to its new Steiner Campus near Sunnyside Avenue and Guardsman Way next school year.

Rowland Hall, founded in 1867 and considered Utah’s oldest school, likely will occupy the property on Lincoln Street, just west of East High, through the end of 2026, said Kip Paul, project broker and vice chair of real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.

The seller is considering contributing the property to a new joint venture with another developer, but the parcel could also be purchased outright, Paul added. Either way, the land will likely need to go through a rezoning process that could take a year, Paul continued.

“We think the city and then surrounding neighbors would be supportive of some sort of moderate housing,” Paul said. “Certainly wouldn’t be a big, dense, tall apartment project. Maybe town homes would be a good project. Personally, I’d love to see them be able to try to save and renovate the existing building; keep some of the charm to it.”

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rowland Hall, considered Utah’s oldest school, in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

The roughly 5-acre property is unpriced, so prospective buyers and developers will submit bids for Cushman & Wakefield to consider.

“We all know how desirable the 9th and 9th area is, and this would just be a continuation of the great environment that’s already there,” Paul said. “So we’re excited, we think it’ll be a positive thing for the 9th and 9th neighborhood and the community as a whole.”

Rowland Hall’s Lincoln Street campus has served grades six to 12 since 1984.

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