Featured House – Alpha Sigma – Florida State University

Home Sweet Home, Redone

Submitted by the Alpha Sigma Chapter at Florida State University 

In addition to the NHC’s continuing efforts over the years to provide members with safe, comfortable and attractive housing, the Alpha Sigma property is once again seeing some major improvements to the house to meet the needs of its current and future residents including:

• New front door and entranceway.
• New roof, gutters, downspouts and dormers.
• New exterior windows throughout the house.
• New white paint for the house exterior, with all new shutters installed.
• New patio outside of the dining room for sisterhood activities and studies year-round. 
• Complete remodeling of 2nd and 3rd floor bathrooms including high end finishes.
• Updated landscaping and improved drainage to keep up with Florida weather challenges. 

“The sisters of the Alpha Sigma chapter have expressed a great deal of excitement over the updates. The construction will modernize and update areas of the house that have needed improvement,” said Annabelle Riha, Alpha Sigma House Manager. Additionally, the renovations will improve safety and efficiency. An added locked security gate will surround the new patio to ensure safety and prohibit a secondary entrance to the house.

“The chapter house is a central part of the members’ experience at Florida State University – it is HOME,” said Michelle Albrecht Smith, Alpha Chi – California/Los Angeles, National Housing Corporation President. “The collegiate women spend a great deal of time at the house during their college years and the alumnae come back to visit. We are excited about the upgrades and changes to this beautiful house and hope the members enjoy making new memories in their renovated home.”

“For both potential and current members, upgrades to the home also can make a difference when members are deciding about where to live every year, including those eager members already looking forward to 2024,” Annabelle noted.

With new changes also come new opportunities. “Prior to the renovations, we have had limited large meeting spaces that have needed to be closed off in order to use for in-house functions posing many challenges. With the new addition of the outdoor patio space, chapter leaders may now be able to learn how to manage and facilitate the organization of more and different types of large events like philanthropy functions, alumna reunions, parent weekend open houses, etc. in our own space,” said Maddy Lester, Alpha Sigma Chapter President.

Jennifer Lloyd, Alpha Sigma – Florida State, College Chapter Director, shared that alumnae are always dropping in for a visit during the fall home football weekends. “It is wonderful addition to have the option of a separate, outside hospitality area to entertain our alumnae and guests without disrupting our residents,” she said. The renovations could not have come at a better time as the chapter will celebrate its centennial in May 2024!

DURING CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS:

AUGUST 2023 UPDATE – POST CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS: