LEICESTER, Mass. - Five historic buildings in Leicester, once part of the Becker College campus, are now under new ownership. Since the college closed in 2021, the town had taken control of the properties along Main Street, but decided to auction them off on Wednesday.

The buildings were used as dormitories, and Town Administrator David Genereaux said they served Becker College for more than 100 years in that capacity. 

"But to us, they're surplus," Genereaux said. "So what we're looking to do here today is sell them to new owners to have them breathe new life into them, and get them back on the tax rolls as productive properties for the town."

The five buildings auctioned off at Leicester Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon included Russell Hall, Winslow Hall, Lane Hall, Hitchcock Hall and a building known as the "1812 House."

Inside, you’ll find memoirs of these buildings’ former lives - a former campus security employee's ID badge above a fireplace, a sticker for the school's veterinary club on a door or bathrooms with multiple sinks and toilets.

Genereaux said a public auction felt like the best way to handle the situation as openly and transparently as possible.

Paul Zekos, president of Zekos Group Auctioneers, said the buildings will be a labor of love, but the right owner will be able to transform the properties into something special. 

“One is zoned commercial and gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility for business purposes," Zekos said. "And that is right at the base of the new Leicester High School. So, hopefully someone will add a little bit of creativity and economic development, particularly on that building. Additionally, there are four other buildings that can be used as single family homes or two-family homes."

For those who have enjoyed the historic look of the buildings along the Leicester Common, rest assured, the charm won’t be going anywhere under new ownership. 

"We do have a historic district regulation in place," Genereaux said. "So if they want to make any changes to the outside of the buildings, they have to go before the commission to explain what they're going to do to essentially get permission. You know, in a perfect world, we'd like people to restore them back to what they were so they can be enjoyed and they can be part of the downtown area.”