Fernandina’s Old School House Sells

Press Release
First Coast Sotheby’s
Contact Joe Cutajar
Email [email protected]
www.sothebysrealty.com
August 3, 2017 11:00 a.m.

Fernandina Beach’s historic School House No. 1 sold to Jacksonville, Florida residents Sam Van Voorhis and Spence Romine.

914 Atlantic, known locally as “The Old School House” was marketed, listed and sold by Joe Cutajar of First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty to partners Sam Van Voorhis and Spence Romine, both of the Jacksonville area. Representing the buyers was Katie Clifford of Strategic Sites.

Van Voorhis and Romine will undertake the $3 million dollar Amelia Schoolhouse renovation project with the leadership of Fernandina Beach architect Jose Miranda. Miranda, known for his expertise with historic property renovation and restoration will also employ the assistance of a Historic Preservation Consultant. Romine stated, “We are excited about the project and desire to maintain the historic nature of this beautiful building while providing a new and exciting hospitality venue to Amelia Island.”

The partners have designed a 17 room Inn with a pool and will include a bar, tentatively named, “The Principal’s Office”. A historic renovation will begin immediately with a target completion date of Summer 2018.

Van Voorhis and Romine also own boutique hotels in Anna Maria, FL, Sedona, AZ, and South Lake Tahoe, CA.; properties which received the Trip Advisor Top 10 Service award. The Sedona, AZ property, The Inn Above Oak Creek, was voted Most Romantic hotel in America by Trip Advisor in 2015.

Fernandina’s School House No. 1 was built in 1886 and designed by architect Robert Sands Schuyler. In recent years the building has been used for office and retail space.

For more information on the project see an earlier Fernandina Observer article:  https://fernandinaobserver.com/2017/05/31/914-atlantic-avenue-everything-old-can-and-will-be-new-again/.

Contact Information

Katie Clifford, Strategic Sites 904.242.2828 [email protected]
Spencer Romine 229.292.3313.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Joe Cutajar at First Coast Sotheby’s at 904-753-0365 or email at [email protected].

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Chris Hadden
Chris Hadden (@guest_49221)
6 years ago

Sounds great, thank you for saving that building.