Basics
Address: 1721 University Ave. SE., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Legal: Lot 9 Block G Tuttle’s Addn.
Historic Name: Psi Upsilon Fraternity
Current Name: Students’ Co-op
Builder / Contractor: M. Schumacher
Original Owner: Psi Upsilon Association
Architect: Kees and Colburn
Permit #: B76164; $20,000+
Date of Original Construction: 1908
Historical Significance
This building is a contributing property in the Fraternity Row Historic District. 1721 University Ave. SE is the second oldest chapter house remaining on University Ave. and at the University of Minnesota. Despite alterations to the stucco and entry, it still exemplifies the scale and style of the pre-World War I period. This building followed the Chi Psi (1897; razed) Delta Kappa Epsilon (1906; razed) and Phi Kappa Psi (1907) chapter houses constructed on Fraternity Row, and its style reflects the early twentieth century preference for columned facades.
The Phi Upsilon chapter was founded at Union College in 1833 and at the University of Minnesota in 1891. Prior to the construction of this building, the chapter was at 1312 7th St. SE. By 1940 The Chapter moved into the former Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity house at 1617 University Ave., and appears to have been inactive by 1949. The building has since been used as private student housing and is presently the Students’ Cooperative.
Building Description
The building at 1721 University Avenue S.E. faces south and is flanked by two fraternity houses of similar size.
It is a three-story stucco-clad building with a flat roof behind a peaked parapet. A raised terrace at ground level is faced in limestone. The stone is continued around the central recessed entry and water table of the first story and covers the original classical entablature. The terrace has a central stair and wrought iron railing. The vaguely Beaux Arts exterior has a recessed entry sheltered by a shallow portico with two fluted concrete Doric columns. Shallow pilasters at the second and third stories frame a central bay containing six rectangular windows filled with modern sash. Four slender windows (two with historic sash) flank the entry and the second floor windows.
The north, rear elevation is clad in painted common brick. There is a small one-story rear wing clad in narrow clapboard that rests on a high limestone foundation. Windows contain double-hung sash. The origin of this wing, whether an addition or pre-existing structure, is unknown.
Historical Integrity
New Stucco has been applied to the original stucco exterior and some historic details, especially at the entry, have been covered with stone facing. Modernization of most sash, but no alteration of window size.
Source: University of Minnesota Greek Letter Chapter House Designation Study; Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. Inventory taken 3/03 by Carole Zellie/Landscape Research.