February 24, 2026
The Learning Zone: Early Childhood Education Development & Sale
Smyrna, TN
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Opportunity
CMK Properties identified an opportunity to develop a high-quality early childhood education facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, a fast-growing Middle Tennessee submarket with strong demographic fundamentals. Partnering with The Learning Zone, a well-established childcare and preschool operator, CMK sought to deliver a purpose-built facility that would support the operator’s growth while providing investors with stable cash flow and an attractive exit.
Services Provided
- Site Selection & Development: CMK sourced and developed the property at 200 Great Circle in Smyrna, TN, delivering a 15,656-square-foot, purpose-built early childhood education facility featuring modern classrooms and outdoor play areas.
- Due Diligence & Entitlements: CMK managed all zoning, entitlement, design, and approval processes to ensure a smooth and timely development.
- Leasing: Negotiated a long-term, single tenant net lease with The Learning Zone, including structured rent escalations, aligning with CMK’s focus on predictable, durable income streams.
- Asset Management & Disposition: Following stabilization, CMK marketed the property for sale, ultimately completing a successful disposition to an institutional buyer. The transaction reflected strong investor demand for high-quality early childhood education real estate in growth markets.
Results
The sale of The Learning Zone Smyrna property generated an attractive return for investors while also delivering consistent cash flow throughout the hold period. This transaction highlights CMK Properties’ ability to execute across the full lifecycle of an investment—from development through disposition—while creating value for investors and communities alike.
