By Katie Fallon
katiefallon@reporternewspapers.net
A Buckhead institution of global learning is now looking for a new home.
The Southern Center for International Studies (SCIS), whose headquarters have been on West Paces Ferry Road across from the Governor’s Mansion for 24 years, have put their property on the market with Beacham and Company with an asking price of $6 million.
The SCIS is a nonprofit educational organization that develops conferences, educational material, workshops and other programs to promote global awareness and understanding by placing international issues on a national agenda.
Given all the work they do, though, the SCIS has now outgrown their home.
The headquarters, located in the historic Goodrum House, stand on 3.8 acre of land and does currently count Gov. Sonny Perdue as a neighbor. Though the structure is 6,000 square feet, much of that is not functional “work” space.
SCIS president Peter White said much of the space is used for private functions and corporate events, a venture that in turn raises funs for the property’s upkeep. Consequently, SCIS often has to rent space in production studios, the Atlanta History Center and nearby private schools to put on all of television programs and workshops.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” White said. “The building is gorgeous. But increasingly, we don’t have enough space. There are a lot of practical things.”
White said the organization decided they had to sell the property and put it on the market barely three weeks ago.
While looking to relocate in the same area, White said the SCIS is looking for another 6,000 square foot facility.
“We’d like to stay in Buckhead” he said.
The Goodrum House is actually built on five lots. White said whoever buys the historic property could actually redevelop it, but that is something the organization does not want to see happen. The property is currently zoned as a community center.