One of the largest private educational complexes in Cyprus is planned for the eastern part of Limassol. The €40 million project will be developed by the international education group GEMS Education through its subsidiary GEMS School Management (GSM), in partnership with CoolSide Development.
The new campus will be built in the community of Pyrgos on land owned by the Archbishopric of Cyprus. The project has already been submitted to the Department of Environment for review. Once all the necessary permits have been obtained, construction will take 22 months and will be completed in a single phase.
The project is intended to meet the growing demand for high-quality international education in Limassol, where the number of foreign professionals and international companies has increased significantly in recent years. The development of educational infrastructure is considered one of the key factors supporting further growth in the property market and enhancing the region's appeal to families relocating to Cyprus.
British Curriculum and Almost 1,900 Students
The school will begin operating immediately after construction is completed. During its first academic year, it will educate children aged 4 to 14 under the British Curriculum. One additional year group will then be introduced annually until the school covers all stages of education, from FS1 to Year 13, serving children aged 4 to 18. The project is designed to accommodate 1,875 students, including:
- 250 places for early years education;
- 750 places for primary school students;
- 875 places for secondary and senior school students.
The school is expected to create more than 100 new jobs for teachers, administrative staff and management personnel once it opens. According to representatives of the local authorities, the construction of a modern international school will increase the attractiveness of the Pyrgos area and provide local families with additional opportunities to access high-quality education without having to travel daily to central Limassol.
Modern Campus with a Theatre, Swimming Pool and Sports Facilities
The educational complex will be developed on a site covering 77,678 m2. Of this area:
- 13,821 m2 will be allocated to public green spaces and utility infrastructure;
- 895 m2 will be designated for the road network;
- the net development area will total 62,961 m2.
Most of the buildings will be two storeys high. In addition to the teaching blocks, the project will include:
- an administrative building;
- a multipurpose hall;
- a modern theatre;
- an indoor Olympic-standard swimming pool;
- four outdoor sports courts;
- a full-size football pitch;
- parking for 169 vehicles, including 8 spaces for people with disabilities.
Particular attention has been paid during the design process to modern environmental standards, energy efficiency, landscaping and the creation of a safe environment for children.
Who Is Behind the Project and Why It Matters for Limassol
GEMS Education, founded by Sunny Varkey in 1959, is now one of the world's largest private school operators. The network manages dozens of international schools and educates hundreds of thousands of students across different countries. Under the agreement, CoolSide Development will become the principal owner of the project, while GEMS School Management will assume full responsibility for managing the school, delivering the educational programme, implementing international teaching standards and integrating the campus into the global GEMS network.
Although the current agreement between the parties is a non-binding agreement, both companies have confirmed their intention to proceed with the project.
The opening of the new international school will mark an important stage in Limassol's development. The city continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading business and educational centres in the Eastern Mediterranean, while demand for modern private schools remains high due to the growing number of international companies, investors and expatriates choosing Cyprus as a place to live and work.