CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation today announced that it has nearly completed the renovations of its fraternity house at 400 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, and that upon receipt of necessary regulatory approvals its undergraduate members will return to the house for the fall term at MIT. The grand opening of the house will be held in conjunction with the fraternity's traditional annual reunion at LeMeridien Hotel in Cambridge September 6-8.
The $7.2 million renovation project represents the culmination of a decade of planning and fundraising by the fraternity. It was designed by an alumnus of the house, Alan Joslin '77, a principal of Epstein Joslin Architects, based on the guidance of the undergraduate and alumni members. "We believe that this project will set new standards for the quality of undergraduate life at MIT, through its adoption of advanced audio-visual learning equipment; project collaboration areas; spacious public areas; broad application of sustainability technologies; full disability access; and state of the art durability and low maintenance costs," said Robert Steininger '76, Chair of the Building Committee. The house was originally built in 1916 when the fraternity moved to Cambridge together with MIT, and was last renovated in 1970. Construction activities began in February of this year, and were performed by Metric Construction Corp. of Boston. Owner’s Project Management was by alumnus Michael Skeldon '87, of Prospectus, LLC. Full details of the renovation plans are available at www.epsteinjoslin.com/current/phi-beta-epsilon-house-at-mit.
Funding for the project was accomplished through alumni donations and the lending facilities of the MIT Independent Residence Development Fund. "This project has been possible only through the dedication of our loyal alumni combined with MIT's commitment to independent residences," said Mark Beasman '75, Co-chair of the Outreach Committee which organized fundraising. "It is particularly fitting that we reopen our house amid what will doubtless be one of the largest and most festive reunions in the history of the fraternity," he added.
Phi Beta Epsilon, established in 1890, is MIT’s oldest local fraternity founded exclusively by and for MIT students. Phi Beta Epsilon is a member of the MIT Interfraternity Council. The Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation is the association of the house's alumni which owns and maintains the fraternity house at 400 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, MA, and provides the undergraduate body with strategic support and mentoring. Additional background may be found on the fraternity’s website, http://pbe.mit.edu