As the Beta Theta Pi house approaches its 94th anniversary, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation is in the process of applying for its demolition.
Many citizens and members of the University community have come to defend the Beta House as an important part of the architectural heritage of the campus. Mayor David Brown recognized at last night's City Council meeting that "It is a noted building, designed by a noted architect."
Close to the turn of the 19th century, the Beta House was commissioned by Dr. Robert Compton, an ear, nose and throat specialist at the University Hospital. To design the house, Compton chose Eugene Bradbury, a leading architect. Bradbury also designed the Chi Phi fraternity house, the entrance building to the University and the Kearney Mansion.
"Bradbury was very active in Charlottesville for approximately 20 years ... [and] examples of his design should be preserved," said Garth Anderson, the vice-chair of the Albemarle County Historic Preservation Committee.
This past February, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation purchased the Beta House, which was formerly known as the Compton House, from the University for $3 million. The Foundation applied for revenue bonds from Albemarle County to demolish the Beta house and build a new 23,000-square-foot, environmentally-sustainable headquarters.
Several prominent members of the community are questioning this proposal.
"What I want to hear is why they want to tear it down and what their issues are with preserving it," Brown said. "I'd love to see them not tear down the Beta House."
Several members of the University community are also upset by the idea of destroying an architecturally important home built in the Jeffersonian ideal.
"As a society we often confront difficult choices between preserving the past and building the future," Architecture Prof. Daniel Bluestone said. "The Compton House is not such a case."
According to Bluestone, 62 percent of the property would remain open, even if the Beta House were to be left standing along with the new headquarters.
Anderson said he also wonders if the Foundation is keeping students' best interests at heart. Bluestone expressed a similar sentiment.
"The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is really interested in providing a good education for students that are so much of our future," Bluestone said. "I think you just can't be looking forward all the time. You have to have some ties to the past to guide you."
The Foundation's current design plans to demolish the Beta House and build from the ground up are estimated to cost nearly $500 per square foot.
"The most sustainable thing that the Jefferson Scholars Foundation can do to start is to find a way to get continued use out of the Compton House," Bluestone said. "It can easily be integrated into the social, academic and residential spaces that the Jefferson Scholars plan for the site."
Before last night's City Council meeting, citizens were invited to express personal opinions in an informal discussion limited to three minutes.
During this portion, citizens commended the work of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, but at the same time requested that the city preserve what they see as an example of classsical architecture. Although supporters of maintaining the Beta House were present at the meeting, representatives from the Jefferson Scholars Foundation were absent.
Due to this absence, the issue of the revenue bonds will be postponed to a later date so that a representative of the Foundation can present data in favor of demolishing the building.
Although multiple attempts were made by the Cavalier Daily Staff to contact the Foundation, representatives could not be reached for comment at press time.
Bluestone challenged Jefferson Scholars Foundation President Jimmy Wright: "Does the Jefferson Scholars Foundation want to be remembered as being harder on a distinguished piece of architecture than generations of Beta brothers?"
Anderson suggested that concerned University students and faculty members "write to the Foundation and express your thoughts" if they wish to help preserve this building.
Read More
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 15 hours agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
U.Va.'s Earth Day Eco-Fair 2025 spotlights sustainability advocacy
By Leigh Bailey | 16 hours agoStudents from Contracted Independent Organizations and University Office of Sustainability leadership programs each shared their unique perspectives about sustainability advocacy on Grounds.
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
