A new major investment in private education is moving toward implementation on Limassol’s eastern coast. The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art private educational complex costing a total of €40 million. It aims to meet the growing education needs of greater Limassol, while also offering a model environmental and architectural development.
Global education group GEMS Education, through its advisory and operational arm GSM School Management (GSM), is joining forces with land development company CoolSide Development to build a new modern international private school in Limassol.
CoolSide Development will hold the majority stake in the project. Its partner, GSM/GEMS Education, is one of the largest private K-12 education providers in the world, founded in 1959 by Sunny Varkey. GSM will lead management and operations, bring its educational expertise, and integrate the school into its global network.
The school will be built on land belonging to the Church of Cyprus in the Pyrgos area.
Operations are planned to begin immediately after construction is completed, and an information report on the development has been filed with the Environmental Authority. The implementation timeline is 22 months from the issuance of the required permits, with the project to be carried out in a single phase.
The local community has responded positively to the plan to build a primary and secondary private school in Pyrgos, Limassol. Community leader Neoklis Christoforou said such developments raise the profile of the area and offer equal education opportunities for local children.
In its first year of operation, the school will follow the British Curriculum for students aged 4 to 14. A new year group will then be added gradually each year, eventually covering all stages of education from FS1 to Year 13, for ages 4 to 18.
The educational complex has been designed to offer a complete education from pre-school age through to secondary school graduation. It is aimed at families in greater Limassol, as well as the growing international and local community in the eastern coastal areas of Pyrgos, Parekklisia and Amathounta.
The facility is designed to accommodate 1,875 students in total:
- 250 in pre-primary education
- 750 in primary education
- 875 in secondary education
More than 100 new jobs are expected to be created, covering teaching, administrative and leadership staff.
The agreement between the two sides is based on a non-binding cooperation framework, expressing their shared intention to introduce high-level education services to the Cypriot market.
The creation of this new educational institution comes to meet the growing needs of both local and expatriate families living in Limassol, further strengthening the city’s position as an international business and education hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On a 77,678 sq.m. plot
The project will be built on a large plot of land in the Pyrgos community, with a total area of:
- 77,678 square metres overall
- 13,821 square metres allocated for public green space and community facilities
- 895 square metres for road widening
- 62,961 square metres as the net development area
The buildings will mainly be two-storey structures covering pre-primary, primary and secondary education. The development will also include:
- An administration building and a multi-purpose hall
- A modern theatre
- An Olympic-standard indoor swimming pool
- Four outdoor sports courts and a full-size football pitch
- Parking for 169 spaces, including 8 for people with disabilities, across underground and outdoor areas
