VITAL STATISTICS
COLORADO CENTER
2401 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica
Square Footage: 65,930
When the Palisades fire severely damaged Village School’s campus in January 2025, approximately 250 students and faculty were suddenly displaced in the middle of the academic year. The urgency of the situation required an immediate and extraordinary solution to ensure continuity of education and stability for families during a time of crisis.
City officials in Santa Monica foresaw that it might become a haven for displaced schools. On Jan. 10, the City Council adopted an emergency ordinance that allowed for a streamlined and expedited permitting review process for schools.
At the same time, Todd Doney and his CBRE team had a client, Edmunds.com Inc., who had sublease space available at the Colorado Center in Santa Monica. The team jumped into action, connecting their client with Village School.
Within days, CBRE facilitated a 24-month sublease allowing Village School to take a 65,930 square foot full second-floor space from Edumunds.com, Inc. The team worked to identify, negotiate, and prepare the space so that classes could resume almost immediately, minimizing disruption for students and parents.
Edmunds.com, Inc. offered to structure this deal so that Village School would only need to cover its share of operating expenses and real estate taxes, without any base rent. CBRE waived its commission entirely, prioritizing service over profit.
