Chester County · Tredyffrin Township · #LD-12-24-18359
TE New Elementary School
Tredyffrin Township, PA · 10,475 sq ft non-residential, school · 15.3 acres
About this project
Conversion of an existing office building into an elementary school, with a building addition, new parking and loading area, playgrounds and an athletic field on about 15 acres in Tredyffrin Township.
Official description: The Applicant proposes to convert the existing office building into a new elementary school. Improvements include a building addition, additional sidewalks, a new parking area with loading / unloading area, removal of the southernmost existing parking lot, the installation of playgrounds and a multipurpose athletic field. Also included is grading, utilities, landscaping, lighting, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management.
- Plan type
- Land development
- Land use
- Educational Facility
- Status
- Reviewed
Filing history
- 2025-02-05 · #LD-12-24-18359 · Land development · 10,475 sq ft
- 2024-08-20 · #LD-08-24-18209 · Land development · 10,475 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District plans to turn an existing three-story office building at 1200 W. Swedesford Road in Berwyn into its sixth elementary school. County records describe a building addition of about 10,475 square feet. They also list new parking and loading areas, playgrounds and an athletic field on about 15 acres.
The office building is reported at roughly 80,000 to 86,000 square feet. News coverage says the district bought the site for about $15.9 million, and the project is aimed at easing a projected rise in elementary enrollment. The district has said reusing a building preserves open space on land it already owns. Local reports give a target opening of fall 2027. Reports say two district-owned sites were considered first, and no organized opposition was found.
What it could mean nearby
- Drop-off and pick-up traffic on W. Swedesford Road will likely increase on school days; the records do not include a traffic study.
- Reusing an office building avoids building on undeveloped district land, according to the district.
- A sixth elementary school is meant to relieve crowding at the district's five existing elementary schools.
- The athletic field and playgrounds add recreation space, but the records do not say whether the public can use them.
Where it stands
The county's latest filing (February 2025) shows the land development plan under township review. Next steps are usually township approval of the plan, then building permits and construction ahead of the targeted opening. The latest approval status was not confirmed online.
- Feb 2025 Latest county planning filing for the school conversion and addition
- Apr 2024 District reportedly completed purchase of the Berwyn office property
- Jan 2024 School board authorized an agreement of sale for the site
Want to weigh in? Tredyffrin Township's planning commission and board of supervisors review land development plans at public meetings, and the school board meets publicly on district matters; check their agendas for comment opportunities.
Who's behind it
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District · The public school district serving Tredyffrin and Easttown townships, which is adding a sixth elementary school.
Around the web
- School in an office? Tredyffrin-Easttown considers proposal as commercial real estate market lagsThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Jan 31, 2024Describes the district's proposal to convert the Berwyn office building into an elementary school.
- Laying the foundations: district to establish 6th elementary schoolSpokeCovers the district's plan for a sixth elementary school and its fall 2027 opening target.
- Community back $15.9 new T/E schoolPatchReports the roughly $15.9 million purchase price for the site.
- TESD to spend next 3 years getting new school runningPatchOutlines the multi-year timeline to open the new school.
- T/E School Board Authorizes Purchase Agreement for Potential Elementary School SiteTredyffrin Township Democratic Committee siteNotes the school board's authorization of the purchase agreement.
Planning terms explained
- Land development plan
- A detailed site plan a township reviews for new buildings, parking, and grounds before construction can proceed.
- Adaptive reuse
- Converting an existing building to a new use, such as an office to a school.
- Building addition
- New floor area added onto an existing building.
- Agreement of sale
- A contract setting the terms for buying a property before the purchase is finalized.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $3.7M
- ~52 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~26 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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