Pi Chapter House of Psi Upsilon Fraternity
Why it's listed
Perched on a steep hill at the edge of the Syracuse University campus, this fraternity house was built in 1897-1898 for the Pi Chapter of Psi Upsilon. Architect W.W. Taber, a member of the fraternity, drew the plans after generous alumni donations led the brothers to choose a larger and costlier design than first proposed. The two and one-half story clapboard building has a stone foundation, a steeply pitched gable roof, an octagonal cupola, and giant porticoes with paired Ionic columns on its west and north sides. Inside, oak raftered ceilings, a central oak staircase and a domed stained-glass skylight survive. A dining bay and fireplace were added about 1904. Unlike most Syracuse fraternities, which occupy converted residences, it was designed specifically as a chapter house. It is described as the oldest intact fraternity residence at the university and an excellent local example of Neoclassical design. It continues in its original function.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of Neoclassical architecture in Syracuse, with giant Ionic porticoes, an octagonal cupola and high-quality craftsmanship. It is also the oldest intact surviving fraternity residence at Syracuse University and reflects the rise of fraternities in campus life around 1900. It was purpose-built as a fraternity house and still serves that function.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001124, listed May 16, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 College Pl., Syracuse |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | May 16, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001124 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architect / builder | W.W. Taber |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and still used as the Pi Chapter House; condition listed as excellent, with some alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 43.03941, -76.13126 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001124.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7189944
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.