Located at 550 W. Warner Rd., the building has been vacant about eight months, but the new owner expects to reopen doors in January 2006, says James Harper, a senior associate with Trammell Crow Co.'s Phoenix office. He represented CASY Country Day School in the acquisition. John Barnes of Colliers International's Phoenix negotiated on the seller's behalf.

Harper tells GlobeSt.com that he's been eyeing the building for some time. "It was empty for so long because it wasn't available for purchase," he says. "Once it came on the market for sale, we jumped on it."

CASY Country Day School, which has three others locations in the Valley, was looking for a site in Chandler or Gilbert, according to Harper. "This building was a perfect fit for their requirements," he says, adding it had ready-to-go classrooms, playground and bathrooms outfitted for children. "It just needs some clean-up because it's been vacant," he says.