The historic Levendale Primary School has sold for the first time since it was built in 1901, with a mainland buyer snapping up the property.
The school, located on Woodsdale Road about 25 minutes north of Sorell, was believed to be the longest continuously running state government school in Tasmania still using its original building until it closed in December 2013 due to low student enrolments.
Records show more than 800 students were educated there over 112 years.
Real estate agent Michael Walsh from Roberts Real Estate Sorell handled the sale and said it was only the second time in his 47-year career he’d sold a school.
He said the site could be used for residential accommodation, a community or tourism venture but he wasn’t sure what the new owners long-term plans were.
“I think whatever they choose to do will probably be a longer term thing,” he said.
“Thankfully it’s now probably gonna survive for a lot more years with a bit more love and attention.”
He described Levendale as a beautiful part of the state and said the property attracted solid interest.
Walsh said he couldn’t disclose the exact sale price but confirmed it was “pretty close” to the asking price of $550,000.
The property sits on 1.593 hectares and is zoned community purpose, which Walsh said made things tricky for anyone wanting to use it as a home.
“There’d be a bit of rezoning to take place to, say, build a house there or use it as a permanent residential dwelling,” he said.
The original building features high ceilings, original fireplaces and sandstone foundations.
A second building was added later with extra classrooms and office space and the grounds include a school oval framed by poplar trees.
Walsh said showing people through the property brought out strong emotions from locals.
“I’ve had literally three generations, or, you know, a third generation saying, ‘My father, my grandfather went to school here,'” he said.
