St. John’s University Announces Sale of Staten Island Campus to Wagner College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brian Browne
Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs
St. John’s University
Tel. 718-990-2762, Cell 917-561-7068
[email protected]

(QUEENS, NY, May 12, 2026) — St. John’s University today announced the successful sale of its Staten Island Campus to Wagner College, ensuring the property’s continued use for higher education and community benefit. The transaction was facilitated by global real estate advisor Savills, which represented St. John’s throughout the process.

The campus, long a part of St. John’s academic and service mission, will transition to Wagner College ownership following a thoughtful and collaborative process between both institutions. The campuses are a quarter-mile apart.

“This agreement reflects a strategic decision that aligns with St. John’s long-term priorities while preserving the educational legacy of the Staten Island campus,” said Rev. Brian Shanley, O.P., Ph.D., President of St. John’s University. “We are pleased that Wagner College will carry forward the campus’s tradition of academic excellence and community engagement, and we are grateful to Savills for its expert guidance throughout this transaction.”

Wagner College plans to integrate the campus into its institutional footprint, creating opportunities for growth while maintaining strong ties to the Staten Island community.

“This acquisition supports our strategic vision for expansion and innovation, and it reinforces our deep commitment to Staten Island as well as to our students — current and future,” said Jeffrey Doggett, Ed.D., President of Wagner College. “We look forward to building on the strong foundation established by St. John’s University and on the long history of Wagner College innovation.”

Savills played a key advisory role in structuring and executing the transaction, providing market insight, strategic positioning, and negotiation expertise. The project was led by the team of Arthur Mirante and David Carlos, two industry veterans with deep experience advising universities on complex real estate projects along with Savills Corporate Managing Directors Michael Bertini and Mark Todrys.

“This was a uniquely mission-driven transaction that required a careful balance of financial, institutional, and community considerations,” said Arthur Mirante, Vice Chair, North America at Savills. “We were honored to represent St. John’s and help identify a buyer that shares its educational values and long-term vision for the campus. This is a distinct property, and this has been a special transaction to navigate.”

The sale allows St. John’s to further invest in its core academic programs and facilities across its main campus in Queens and remaining global sites while ensuring that the Staten Island property remains dedicated to higher education.

The Staten Island site was originally the home of Notre Dame College, a small, independent, women’s college established in the 1930s, which was consolidated with St. John’s University in 1971; Notre Dame students used many facilities, including residence halls and the gymnasium, at Wagner.

In August 2022, St. John’s announced a planned two-year phase out of academic operations at the campus that concluded in May 2024. University representatives hosted several public and private meetings and consistently expressed an intent to maintain a healthy relationship with the local community and to find a buyer best-suited for the long-existing educational facility.

“Wagner College is a cornerstone of Staten Island education and shares a rich history with St. John’s University of providing the best for its students. It always made sense that the next chapter in the story of the St. John’s campus would unfold with Wagner at the helm," Borough President Vito Fossella said.

“We thank St. John’s University for being a good neighbor and pursuing an appropriate buyer in good will. And we thank Wagner College President Jeff Doggett, the Board of Trustees and all the Wagner family for taking the leap and making this exciting investment, which will allow a rich, local educational legacy to live and thrive.”

Financial terms were not disclosed. Additional details of the transaction will be shared later.

Media Contacts:

Brian Browne
St. John’s University
Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs
Tel 718-990-2762, Cell 917-561-7068
[email protected]
stjohns.edu

Jim Chiavelli 
Wagner College
Vice President for External Affairs and Chief Communications Officer
Tel 718-390-3147, Cell 617-593-2019
[email protected]
wagner.edu

Brandon Levesque
Savills
Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications
Tel 212-588-3460, Cell 718-938-3423
[email protected]
savills.us