Branco L.C., headed by Bruce Tarantola, a St. Louis, MO.-based investment firm, purchased for $1.77 million the Tutor Time Children's Learning Center in Gilbert. The 10,200-sf, single-tenant building is at 875 S. Cooper Rd.

The property was sold by Glenwood Financial Group, headed by David Scott, a Glendale, CA-based investment group. Glenwood had owned the building for three years prior to the sale.

Glendale has been one of the fastest growing cities in the Valley and the nation during the past decade. Since 1995, Gilbert has grown by 80%. It now has a population of 113,000. The community is about 20 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, and Chandler is immediately to its west.

The city, which was once fertile farmland, is growing plenty of young families. Much of the new housing that's been built in the East Valley during the past few years has gone up in Gilbert. Nearly 11% of Gilbert's population is made up of children five years old and younger, compared to 7.7% for the rest of the Valley. Also, more than a quarter of Gilbert's population is between the ages of five and 17, compared to 19.2% Valleywide.

The Phoenix office of Marcus & Millichap, with broker Sanford Burstyn, represented the seller, and brokers Steve Gonzalez and Jamie Medress, represented the buyer.