The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity has preliminary plans to demolish its chapter house and build a brand new residence.
The fraternity's University-owned house at 3940 Spruce St. was deemed uninhabitable this summer due to structural damage to the building's front wall and foundation.
It is not yet determined when the project will begin.
"Our goal is to have a new structure built so that currently enrolled students will have the opportunity to live in the new house before they graduate," AEPi President Will Morel said.
University officials estimated in September that renovations would cost $900,000, which would have been paid for by a loan taken out on behalf of AEPi's national fraternity.
In the interim, AEPi has found a temporary home in a residence currently occupied by an underground student organization.
The fraternity and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs are working out an agreement with Campus Apartments to lease a 17-bedroom house at 4039 Walnut St.
That house is currently occupied by members of Theos -- a student organization formerly affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity.
Theos was not given the opportunity to renew its lease "because of a commitment with the University," said Jason Cohen, a manager at Campus Apartments.
Morel, a College and Wharton junior, and OFSA Director Scott Reikofski said Theos' current occupation of the house had no bearing on the location choice. Theos members declined to comment.
Though the lease has not officially been signed, Morel said plans have been finalized and that the AEPi national fraternity's general counsel will sign it within the week.
AEPi will be able to renew the lease until its new chapter house is finished.
AEPi members who had been planning to live in the house this year are currently occupying four different off-campus apartments.
"We're looking forward to next year, but this year hasn't been a burden at all," AEPi member and Wharton junior Sam Kolbert-Hyle said. "If anything, it's brought us together."
The temporary house has a deck, basement and full kitchen, but the brothers of AEPi have not yet seen the inside of the house.
The residence was recommended because of its size and its security and sprinkler systems, which OFSA requires as conditions for recognizing a building as a fraternity chapter house. The Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity occupied the house last year but was unable to support and maintain it.
"The experience of living in a fraternity house is unforgettable, and we are happy that next year our brothers will be able to enjoy that experience," Morel said.
