Old R.E. Lee H.S. sold

The former Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton will soon get a major facelift.
Real estate development company Octagon Partners of Charlottesville announced Friday that it has purchased the building and will convert it to a senior living complex with 70 independent living apartments.
“We’re just happy to get somebody that loves the property like Stauntonians do, and wants to see it revitalized and used in a very positive way,” said Amanda Huffman, assistant director for economic development in Staunton.
The company, after meeting with city officials and community representatives, believes the housing will represent a positive use for the old school.
“Nestled beside Gypsy Hill Park and close to the bustle of downtown Staunton, we
are confident that this is the ideal setting for an active living community for seniors,” Sean Dougherty, project manager for
Octagon Partners, said in a statement. “Our goal is to provide a unique and genuine
environment that provides a wealth of activities, social interaction and personal development in keeping with the fond memories so many Stauntonites associate with the former R.E. Lee High School.”
Huffman said the building had been vacant for several months since Guardian Angel Regional Catholic School left.
“This isn’t a property that just anybody would want to deal with because it is a massive property,” Huffman said. “It does have a lot of memory and sentimental value to the Staunton residents, and so it is a challenging property to [redevelop].”
She believes Octagon will be good partners with the city and has a good vision for the property.
The apartment complex will provide
residents with shared meals, clubs and activities, as well as provide outings for residents. Two community groups will also be housed in the building.
The renovation is expected to begin in the fall and take six to nine months. As part of the renovation, Octagon plans to overhaul the building’s heating and cooling systems and restore the building inside and out.
“We’ll be very interested in seeing how this process unfolds and the great end result that they’re planning there,” Huffman said.
The former school was originally built in 1926 of solid steel and concrete construction and later expanded in the 1950s. It served as Staunton’s primary high school until 1984. Since then, it has housed a foreign language school and, most recently, Guardian Angel.
NBC29 contributed to this report.