Moore Hall in all its former glory

The Business Review is reporting that Skidmore has sold the unoccupied Moore Hall located at 32 Union Ave to the developers at Norstar Development USA for $1.2 million. Moore Hall, also called “The Pink Palace,” was the college’s only remaining piece of property from its former downtown campus.  Norstar plans to raze the former dorm and erect a bunch of condos in its place.

Plans between the College and Norstar have been tentative since 2006 and Norstar said in February they were putting the project on hold because of the recent economic downturn. Even so, Norstar threw down $1.2 million for the building this past Wednesday.

Saratoga has seen an upsurge in the number of condominiums in recent years with major units being built on High Rock Ave. and Broadway. Anybody with a functioning set of eyeballs can see the slithering fingers of development working their ways around the tensed throat of Saratoga Springs, at least Skidmore is getting $1.2 million out of the deal. This money comes at a perfect time for the College considering the 2009-2010 budget is anticipated to fall 5-8 million dollars short.

Moore hall’s legacy will live on through the annual Moorebid dance which was originally held in the dorm’s basement.