Originally written by Kurt Lehmann for the Delray Beach Pineapple newspaper, updated for 2026.
Now that’s what I call living in a school zone!
Ever been caught at the traffic light as you come into downtown and wondered what those big white buildings with the endless lawn are, on the northeast corner of Atlantic Avenue and Swinton? Those landmarks are Old School Square, the old Delray schoolhouses, and they’re the centerpiece of one of the most interesting places to live or work in Delray Beach.
The schoolhouses behind the name
The elementary school building, closest to Atlantic, was built in 1913 and is now the Cornell Art Museum, with exhibits throughout the year. The high school, with its entrance on Swinton, was built in 1925 (city preservation documents date its design to 1926) in the Mediterranean Revival style by Sam Ogren Sr., the city’s first registered architect. Today it’s the Crest Theatre building. The old gym from the same era is now the Vintage Gym.
When the school board planned to close the aging schools in the mid-1980s, the Delray Beach Historical Society and a group of determined volunteers stepped in, and the city bought the property in 1987. That’s why the buildings are still standing and restored today.
What’s changed since I first wrote this: the nonprofit that used to run the campus was replaced by the city in 2021. The city owns Old School Square, and the Downtown Development Authority now manages the campus in partnership with the city. The 323-seat Crest Theatre auditorium is closed for a city-managed renovation, while the arts classrooms in the building have reopened. The campus website is now delrayoldschoolsquare.com.
Where is the Old School Square Historic District?
The schools are the focal point of the Old School Square Historic District, the largest of Delray’s original historic districts. It runs from SE 2nd Street north to Lake Ida Road (NE 4th Street), and from NW/SW 1st Avenue (where City Hall sits) east to NE/SE 1st Avenue. The whole district is in zip code 33444. See our Delray Beach 33444 guide for more on the area.
The city listed it on the local register in 1988, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. You’ll find everything from frame vernacular cottages and bungalows to Mission and Mediterranean Revival homes dating from 1902 to 1945, plus landmarks like the Sundy House, built in 1902 by Delray’s first mayor, John Sundy.
Live, work, or both
Over the years this area has seen a lot of change: homes converted to businesses, and sometimes back to residences or live/work. Savvy law firms and architects have turned many of these buildings into downtown offices within walking distance of City Hall and the courthouse. For buyers, that mix is the draw. You can find a cottage to live in, an office with residential bones, or a property that does both.
Banker’s Row: my favorite stroll
One especially interesting street is Banker’s Row, along NE 1st Avenue just north of the Old School Square lawns. It’s rarely traveled because it doesn’t run straight through to Atlantic. Sam Ogren Sr. designed several of its two-story Mediterranean Revival homes from the 1920s on the west side, and 1930s cottages line the east side. It’s one of my favorite places to park the car and walk; you can feel the history beneath your feet. Keep going north and you’re in Pineapple Grove.
What buyers should know
Historic review applies. Exterior changes, additions and new construction go through the city’s historic preservation review. Ask whether a building is “contributing” before you buy.
Check the zoning and the current use. Some properties are marketed as commercial and others as residential. Confirm what’s allowed for how you plan to use it, whether that’s home, office or live/work.
Financing can differ. A property used as an office may need commercial or mixed-use financing rather than a standard home loan.
Older buildings, closer inspections. Roof, windows, wiring and plumbing all affect insurance.
Inventory here is small and changes fast, so I won’t quote old prices. To see what’s available now, use our VIP home search.
Old School Square Historic District FAQ
What zip code is the Old School Square Historic District in?
33444. It’s the center of downtown Delray Beach, at Atlantic and Swinton.
Can I live and work in the same building?
Many properties in the district are used as live/work, but what’s allowed depends on each parcel’s zoning. Check with the city or ask us before you buy.
Is the Crest Theatre open?
The Crest Theatre building’s arts classrooms are open, but the auditorium is closed for a city renovation and no reopening date has been announced. The Cornell Art Museum is open.
Ready to make downtown home, or your office?
If you own a property in the district and want to know what it’s worth today, start with a free home valuation or call Lehmann Realty at 888-644-3828. You can explore more neighborhoods on our Delray Beach communities page.
Come eat or come play, you’ll want to stay: beautiful downtown Delray.
Lehmann Realty, 111 SE 2nd Street, Suite 102, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
