George Sherman is erasing his name from a few Duluth chalkboards.
The Minneapolis developer has sold two schoolhouses-turned-apartments in Duluth for a combined $2.75 million, according to county records.
Both were bought in October by businesses related to Christian Murphy, who owns Coloma Property Services in Duluth. Murphy could not be reached for comment.
The old Merritt School at 510 N. 40th Ave. was purchased and rehabbed by Sherman Associates in 2003. The property sold for $1 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sherman fixed up the Jefferson School at 916 E. Third St. in 1985. That property sold for $1.75 million.
Some of the apartment units still feature blackboards; two such rentals were being marketed online by Coloma Property Services on Tuesday.
Despite the sell-off, Sherman remains a major player in Duluth development, including the ongoing $30 million makeover of the NorShor Theatre. Sherman also built the Sheraton Hotel downtown and bought and rehabilitated Greysolon Plaza across the avenue.
Sherman also owns the former Irving school, which it turned into housing. In August a plan to buy and redevelop Nettleton Elementary School fell apart.
"Sherman is committed to the city of Duluth," company vice preisdent Valerie Doleman wrote in an email Monday morning. "We are proud and remain focused on our many developments in Duluth like NorShor Theatre, Greysolon Plaza and the Sheraton. The recent dispositions allow us to continue this growth and investment in the area."
