Massachusetts Institute Technology confirmed plans for the Vision 2020 renovation of its Phi Beta Epsilon house at 400 Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

This step, taken following the fraternity’s receipt in May of necessary zoning approvals, is the last planning step before seeking bids on the contracts for the renovation project. Subject to completion of fundraising targets, this project is tentatively scheduled to be undertaken between January and August, 2013.

"Student expectations for a quality physical environment are rising every year, and this project is intended to ensure that our fraternity house represents a benchmark among the residential options for students at MIT," said Robert Steininger ’76, past president of the Phi Beta Epsilon Corporation and co-chair of the Alumni Outreach Committee co-coordinating fundraising for the effort. Mark Beasman ’75, reunion chair and co chair of Alumni Outreach, noted also that "Phi Beta Epsilon has one of the most loyal and active alumni bodies of any fraternity at MIT. It is the depth and magnitude of our alumni support that makes this ambitious project possible."

Initial planning for the Vision 2020 project began in 2005 with careful dialog with the fraternity’s undergraduates concerning functional needs, combined with evaluation of the physical condition of the existing structure. The ongoing working committee of undergraduates and alumni has been led by the project’s architect, Alan Joslin ’77 a principal of the architectural firm of Epstein Joslin.