EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Aquinas College has officially put the historic Brookby estate up for sale, listing the 12,000-square-foot property for $3.3 million. The former Blodgett Estate, located at 250 Plymouth Avenue near Robinson Road, is currently being used both as a venue and as the residence of the college’s president.
The decision to sell the property comes after a vote by the College’s Board of Trustees, who approved the move in the fall of 2024. Mary Ann Sabo, a spokesperson for the college, stated that the sale is part of a broader strategic effort to focus on investments that directly benefit students and improve the main campus. Additionally, the sale is seen as an opportunity to reassess how properties on the periphery of the campus can be better utilized to serve the community’s needs.
“Since then, we have been carefully working through the necessary steps to list the property,” Sabo said in a statement. “This decision reflects our long-term strategy to ensure we are prioritizing investments in our students and the heart of our campus.”
The estate, which sits on a five-acre plot, is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the late 1920s, the property includes eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and two full kitchens. In addition to the main residence, the estate features two additional buildings, once used as servants’ quarters, which have since been converted into single-family homes. The property also boasts private lakefront access, making it an appealing location for various potential buyers.
The Brookby estate was donated to Aquinas College in 2011 by Sam and Janene Cummings, who had lived in the manor for 14 years. The Cummings’ donation added to the college’s real estate holdings, providing the school with an expansive property that could accommodate both administrative functions and large-scale events.
The listing suggests a variety of potential uses for the estate, including conversion into a senior living space with intergenerational collaboration through the college, a bed and breakfast, or an event venue. The space is already set up to host weddings, recitals, and other large gatherings, making it a flexible option for future owners.
This sale comes just months after the resignation of Aquinas College President Alicia Cordoba, who stepped down after a short tenure that began in 2022. While the reasons behind Cordoba’s departure have not been disclosed, Sister Maureen Geary, a long-time member of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees, was selected as the interim president.
As Aquinas College moves forward with the sale of Brookby, it continues to reevaluate its use of resources, with the aim of enhancing the student experience and focusing on the college’s core academic mission.
