Life @808

The History of 808 Est. 1952 


The Gamma Theta chapter of Delta Gamma was installed in 1949 as part of the second group of National Panhellenic Conference chapters established at the University of Florida. As one of the first ten sororities, Gamma Theta has a long and vibrant history at UF, including building the first permanent sorority house on the university’s new sorority row in 1952. The chapter was able to choose first from the lots available just south of PK Young Lab School (now Norman Hall) in what had been dubbed “a jungle wasteland” by then Dean of Students, Robert Beaty. The lot on the corner of 13th Street and what is now Museum Road was selected and the ground- breaking at 808 W. Panhellenic Drive soon followed. 

 

The original house and its golden anchor continued to stand as the gateway to Sorority Row, and a home away from home to generations of Gamma Thetas for the next 65 years. As the chapter grew, so did the need for space. An expansion in the 1960s added more dining space and a sun porch. In 1971 a large addition was constructed on the east side of the house which included a new chapter room, three new large bedrooms and an expanded dining room. The last major expansion took place in 2000 when an extensive addition changed the house’s façade with added columns and the front door was moved from the south side of the house to its east side on Panhellenic. A new foyer, main staircase, and additional bedrooms were also added to meet the demands of the growing chapter. 

 

Despite continued maintenance, the original house at 808 was showing her age. The cost of maintenance was starting to heavily impact the house corporation budget. The original Gamma Theta house, and the first house on UF’s sorority row, had finally reached the end of the line. A capital campaign to raise funds was started in 2014, and the vision for a new Gamma Theta home began to take shape.

 

Amidst a mixture of tears and joy in June 2018, the beloved house that had welcomed home so many DGs, and will forever stand in our hearts, was demolished. Over the next 14 months, crews would swiftly work to complete the new Gamma Theta house in time for Sorority Recruitment in August 2019. Architect Hug and Associates, contractor D.E. Scorpio Corporation, interior design team JBanks, and the Gamma Theta Rebuild Committee worked together to ensure that just as her predecessor had, the new house and its golden anchor would stand proudly at the corner on 13th Street and Museum Road. The “New 808” is beautiful and functional, a home built for women of the 21st century. Featuring stunning interiors and innovative details, the new house includes study space on each floor, more areas for lounging with sisters and gathering with friends, and the latest technology today’s college women need to be successful. The new house will accommodate over 70 Gamma Theta sisters, and also boasts a guest suite for use by out of town guests of the chapter. 

 

Our beloved 808 has come a long way since breaking ground in Dean Beaty’s jungle wasteland. The house that stands today is a testament to the enduring support of Delta Gammas past and present continuing to “Do Good”. What hasn’t changed is what our Delta Gamma house represents, a place to build lifelong friendships, a home that enables young women to become their best selves, and unforgettable experiences that will shape the lives of future Gamma Thetas for generations to come. Whatever its size, no matter its shape, the house at 808 will always be home.