Princeton Finalizes $42 Million Acquisition of Westminster Choir College
Deal News | Apr 04, 2025 | EIN
The Municipality of Princeton has finalized the $42 million acquisition of the Westminster Choir College campus from Rider University, following legal approval by the New Jersey Superior Court. The acquisition, achieved through eminent domain, allows Princeton to repurpose the historic 23-acre site for public facilities after years of legal disputes and community resistance. Originally donated in 1935 for musical training, the property came under scrutiny due to a religious covenant against secular transfer. Financial struggles in the 1990s led Westminster to merge with Rider University, which aimed to sell the property amid financial challenges in 2016. Although a sale to Beijing Kaiwen Education Technology Company was blocked in 2018, Princeton has now gained ownership. Princeton's public planning, led by hired firm Topology, will involve extensive community engagement over the next 18 months. Despite settlement, legal challenges may continue as critics argue the project's transparency and preservation of the site's cultural legacy.
Sectors
- Real Estate
- Education
- Legal Services
Geography
- United States – The article focuses on a transaction taking place in Princeton, New Jersey, involving local municipal authorities and an educational institution. Therefore, the United States is the primary geography of this article.
- New Jersey – Specific references to New Jersey Superior Court, local governance in Princeton, and the location of both Rider University and Westminster Choir College associate the article closely with New Jersey.
Industry
- Real Estate – This industry is relevant because the article discusses the acquisition of a 23-acre property, Westminster Choir College campus, by the Municipality of Princeton.
- Education – The acquisition involves Westminster Choir College, an educational institution, dealing with issues related to its historical significance and intended purpose.
- Legal Services – The acquisition has been affected by multiple legal disputes, court approvals, and involvement of legal representatives, making this industry applicable.
Financials
- $42 million – The purchase price for the acquisition of the 23-acre Westminster Choir College campus from Rider University.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton Municipality | Acquiring Entity | Government | The local government body that has finalized the acquisition of the Westminster Choir College campus through eminent domain. |
| Westminster Choir College | Target | Education | The 23-acre educational campus acquired by the Municipality of Princeton, originally part of Rider University. |
| Rider University | Vendor | Education | The educational institution that owned Westminster Choir College and completed the sale to Princeton Municipality. |
| Topology | Planning Consultant | Consultancy | A New Jersey-based firm hired to assist with the development and public planning efforts for the site. |
| Westminster Foundation | Legal Opponent | Charity | An organization formed by faculty, alumni, and students to oppose the sale and preserve the college's legacy. |
| Mercer County Clerk | Administrative Authority | Government | Responsible for the formal recording of the property acquisition transaction. |
| Princeton Theological Seminary | Legal Opponent | Education | Filed lawsuits based on the 1991 merger agreement, which required Westminster to remain on its original campus. |
| Music Together, Princeton Pro Musica, Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra | Nonprofits Operating Onsite | Charity | Existing nonprofit organizations operating on the site whose licenses have been transferred to the town. |