Historical Office Buildings Have New Owner

A collection of historic buildings that make up an office complex in Danvers has new owner.

RCG, which has made as name for itself on the North Shore for its work in Lynn and Salem, has purchased Wadsworth Village on Centre Street.

RCG bought the 2.6 acre complex at 130 Centre St. at the end of August for $2.235 million.

The property is about 95 percent occupied, but assistant property manager for RCG, Ben Bouchard, said some small spaces are still available, some renting for a low as $200 per month. One space in the main former school building on the second floor facing I-95 is available for $500 per month

“A lot of the tenants have been here for 15 to 20 years,” Bouchard said.

In all, there are 30 office tenants with about half from the medical field, including doctors and chiropractors. There's also attorneys, contractors and a company called Tournament Solutions, which handles clothing and other details for golf tournaments.

The complex also includes six apartments that are all currently rented.

Bouchard said there are no current plans for expansion, but “that might be a possibility in the future.”

The main school building was a school until the late 1970s when it was closed. It then became the Shaffer Business Center" and, at one time, went into foreclosure. In addition to the school building, six historic building from other area of Danvers, including Elm Street, Pine Street and Danvers State Hospital, were moved to the property to form a unique office complex. Photos of some of the buildings at the original locations can been seen in the photos attached to this story.

"Each of them have their own history," Bouchard said.

In addition to being the first venture in Danvers for RCG, the property is unlike many of RCG's other properties.

"The location is different from a lot of our other properties," he said. 'It's a quiet place but it is still very accessible."

The building borders I-95 and is right off the Centre Street exit. Some tenants come from the Boston area, and others from New Hampshire. It's proximity to the highways is a plus for tenants from both the north and south.

Inside the former school building, the 14 foot high ceilings and original architectural details remained.