Church of Scientology buys Long Island office building

The Church of Scientology believes it’s time to take advantage of the embattled office market.

The Long Island Church of Scientology purchased an office building at 263 Old Country Road in Melville for $15.2 million, Newsday reported. The acquisition of the 62,500-square-foot property breaks down to $243.20 per square foot.

The building at the corner of New York Avenue was sold by Harvest Real Estate, which is based in Melville. Security product distributor ADI Global occupied the 1999-built property and used it as its corporate headquarters until it relocated a couple of years ago.

The site is zoned for commercial and medical use and was billed as a campus setting in a listing. It’s unclear what the church intends to do with the property.

The Long Island Church of Scientology dates back three decades, when it was founded in nearby Hicksville. Prior to the purchase, the church’s location was listed in an office at a Bethpage business park, steps from a T-Mobile store. It has previously been located in Islip.

The controversial California-based religious movement, which claims to have millions of followers, has various corporate entities and organizations devoted to the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard; it’s led today by David Miscavige. 

The church also has a presence in Harlem and Times Square.

It has also been on the other side of real estate deals. In 2017, the organization sold its Coral Gables building for $5.8 million after 40 years of ownership and roughly three years on the market.

— Holden Walter-Warner

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