The Delta Upsilon fraternity relocated its chapter house late this summer in response to University concerns that the property did not meet its standards for safety and quality of life.
With Penn's assistance, the brothers moved from 4035 Walnut St. to a vacant University-owned site at 3829 Walnut St., Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said. The 3829 Walnut property was previously occupied by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, which has since relocated to 39th Street.
The summer residents, some of whom were in the fraternity, were offered University housing or had the opportunity to find their own, Reikofski said.
He added that no specific aspect of the property caused the University to deem the property unsuitable: "It was the general deteriorated condition and significant amount of deferred maintenance that drove the University's thinking," he wrote in an e-mail.
DU president and Wharton and Engineering junior Derek Ondrusek said the brothers had been looking for a house that was in better structural condition and slightly smaller. When the University advised them to move into the available residence, their alumni association and chapter leadership took advantage of the opportunity.
OFSA conducts annual inspections of residential sites, but Facilities and Real Estate Services was also assessing the property because Penn was interested in acquiring it. The processes overlapped but were not directly related, FRES executive director Ed Datz said.
The University is finalizing arrangements to acquire the property and developing plans for its long-term use, Datz and Reikofski said. Residential use is likely, but no final decisions have been made.
He said the property's owner and manager, Kevin Boyle, approached Penn earlier this year about the potential of purchasing the house.
Boyle said some concerns voiced by the University during a series of inspections this summer - which included storage, access to fire escapes and passageways and appearance - had "existed for some time" but he felt the University was taking a "fresh look" because of interest in acquiring the house.
"Some [concerns] were more aesthetic, things that would be easily correctable, and some would be a bit more difficult to [correct]," Boyle said.
Datz said "there may have been a heightened sensitivity" about the house's conditions as a result of FRES' assessment process, but the state of the property and the decision to purchase it "were not correlated as a deciding factor."
The conditions did influence the acquisition price, he added.
Long-term plans for the fraternity are being considered by its alumni house corporation.
Ondrusek said the brothers are happy with the house and Penn's "diligent management," which they did not enjoy wth the previous owner.
"We carry with us many good memories from the old house but also look forward to making new ones and prospering as a fraternity at our new location," he said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.