The former Metro Athletic Club, which operated at 10251 N. 35th Ave. for more than 20 years, will be transformed into the Latch School in time for fall enrollment, Tyler Smith of Grubb & Ellis Co. in Phoenix tells GlobeSt.com. "One of the nice things about it is that all the racquetball courts can easily be converted into classrooms and there is a swimming pool on site and other amenities that an office building wouldn't have," Smith said.

Former owner DMB Associates closed the 24,226-sf health club in December 2000 to focus on upgrading the image of its other fitness club holdings. The building was on the market about 18 months when the Latch School tied up an $800,000 all-cash deal for the property.

The deal was a perfect match, said Smith. "It's a freestanding building so they're separated from other properties and they can use the amenities that are already in place," he said. The facility also gives the buyer a full gym and ample bathrooms for students. Remodeling some space into classrooms and offices is all that's needed to turn the building into a new school for physically and mentally challenged children.