Johnson & Wales University has purchased the property that housed the troubled Club Karma on Richmond Street in Providence for $1.6 million, according to a statement from college spokeswoman Lisa Pelosi.
The university intends to use the property either to “accommodate the university’s expanding academic programs or for student life services.’’
Club Karma was shut down last year by the city’s licensing board after two men were shot at the nightclub on January 25, 2014.
The club was once owned by former State Representative Peter Petrarca and Providence Restaurant mogul Gianfranco Morrocco.
The property at 101 Richmond Street is about a block from the JWU parking garage on Pine Street. The deal was closed on Oct. 31.
“As the university continues to expand its academic programming, we have a growing need to add classrooms, administrative services and student services facilities,’’ said Marie Bernardo Sousa, the university’s senior vice-president for administration.
The property also has 25 parking spaces, said Sousa.
