Alpha Xi Delta

An apartment building in a state of extreme disrepair is restored to its architectural roots in women’s housing as a top UW-Madison Greek facility

Alpha Xi Delta, a women’s fraternity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, leased a property in the architecturally rich Langdon Street neighborhood outside campus. They and property management firm CSL Management sought a general contractor to complete major interior renovations and create a first class facility for the Chapter women.

Neglected and vandalized

The building was originally constructed in 1923 as a Catholic women’s dormitory. Recent owners and tenants of the property had neglected and vandalized it, and it had fallen into a state of extreme disrepair. It was teeming with mold, bed bugs and cockroaches, and drug paraphernalia and garbage was littered throughout. Wiring and conduits were exposed, windows were broken, walls had holes and toilets were unhooked. Flooring and tiles were cracked, stained and in some areas, stripped down to the concrete. Nearly every surface was damaged, and most of the classic structural elements had been covered up.

Restoration

In just five months, National Construction restored the five-story, 22,037 square foot building’s original character and took it back to its roots of quality housing for women. Key architectural elements were re-established – a triple archway in the foyer, five fireplaces, the decorative steel spiral staircase railing, crown moulding and French doors with original hardware.

Nearly every room was gutted, electrical and plumbing element was replaced and surface was refinished.

• Resident bedrooms were combined and converted into large, luxurious bathrooms with ample vanity and sink space, custom showers and laundry facilities.
• Periphery bedrooms were converted into a full apartment for the house director, complete with walk-in closet and private bathroom and laundry facilities.
• Key safety and security systems were installed, and the space was furnished with décor authentic to the architectural period.

National Construction later updated the heating and cooling system, completed exterior repairs and built new concrete steps.

The end result

The restored building has been recognized as the top Chapter facility in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Greek Community, specifically for its public areas and bathroom facilities.