No matter where your algorithm tends to take you, you've probably heard about the TikTok phenomenon #bamarush that overtook the app in August 2021. That summer, freshmen at the University of Alabama who were “rushing” its sororities posted all about the incredibly competitive process on TikTok. It gave viewers an inside look at what it takes to get into a sorority at the Greek-centric Southern school. Not only did it go viral, but it inspired the 2023 Max documentary Bama Rush about the culture. The doc goes even deeper into the emotional experience of rushing at the university. It follows four women as they prepare for sorority rush in 2022, exploring everything from rush consultants (yes, they're a thing!) to the deep struggles of womanhood.
At the height of the viral sensation, there was a ton to ogle online, from #OOTDs (that's “outfit of the day” for the uninitiated) to pledge videos to confusing and even near-cultish rituals. Practically all the participants appeared to be white and blonde. But what really stood out for us were the houses. With average membership fees of $7,000 to $7,500 per semester including room and board, these aren't your typical college dorms; they're actual mansions. Most cover about 40,000 square feet so that there's room for around 70 members to attend meetings, eat meals, and live on-site. And since the University of Alabama's sorority membership is one of the largest in the country (with more than 2,000 women rushing 24 sororities every year), the school invests in them. Most of its sorority houses underwent massive renovations between 2015 and 2016, with upgrades costing in the millions.
Forget the standard, university-issued desk and loft bed. Instead, think spiral staircases, marble floors, high-end designer wallpaper, and chandeliers literally sent over from some of the fanciest hotels in the country. As another round of rush at 'Bama and beyond approaches, we've compiled the 15 most extravagant University of Alabama sorority houses to fawn over. Trust us, they're probably way nicer than many adult homes and apartments.
Phi Mu
Perhaps the most outrageous of the bunch is the Phi Mu house, which cost a whopping $13 million to build. At nearly 40,000 square feet, the Neoclassical-style house is a literal mansion with sleek marble floors, a grand piano in the foyer (naturally!), and a stunning chandelier that originally came from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Now if that isn’t sorority royalty, we don't know what is.
Zeta Tau Alpha
This grand, three-story house features a wraparound porch with outdoor TVs for warm-weather entertaining and football watching. Plus, there's a floating staircase that any architecture student would fawn over. Gothic balconies add to the indoor-outdoor living vibes.
Gamma Phi Beta
There is an actual movie theater in this sorority house, which also has a chic dining room for the around 7o (lucky!) members who get to live there. There are fluffy sofas for relaxing and a study den for some relaxation time. Completed in 2015, this house is the largest one at the university and the largest Gamma Phi Beta house in national history, according to the sorority's website.
Alpha Phi
Complete with velvet couches, a massive outdoor seating area, a kitchen area equipped with a juicer and an espresso machine, a projector room, and a TV lounge, we imagine it'd be hard to want to leave the Alpha Phi house.
Delta Zeta
Featuring gorgeous floral wallpaper in the living room, this house looks like something out of a fairytale. There's even a porch equipped with fans to fend off the scorching southern heat on game days and a home library that Belle from Beauty and the Beast would certainly appreciate.
Delta Gamma
In this house, there are so many chandeliers that your head will spin. Apart from giving us serious lighting envy, the home is equipped with both formal and informal living rooms, a boardroom-like study area, and spotless marble floors.
Alpha Chi Omega
Metallic accents, velvet furniture, soft rugs, and Greek-style touches like antique busts and a wooden harp on the wall will make you feel like you've been transported into Hercules at the over-the-top Alpha Chi Omega home.
Kappa Delta
Each room is perfectly color-coordinated in this 40,000-square-foot mansion. A green sitting room with metallic accents juxtaposes perfectly with the gray-and-white sitting area, while the entrance has a stunning marble staircase with steel beams and a wood entryway. Talk about style! Plus, there's a scenic Schumacher wallpaper in the entry.
Pi Beta Phi
Wide white columns stand out against the brick exterior of the Pi Beta Phi house. Inside, it boasts checkered marble floors, arched doorways, and crystal and glass chandeliers in every room to make dwellers feel as though they're living inside a castle.
Alpha Gamma Delta
White doors and cabinets, green and blue sofas, a chic study lounge, and soft cloud-like beds make the Alpha Gamma Delta house appear more like a classy spa than college housing. The double-height portico on the front facade isn't bad, either!
Kappa Alpha Theta
The Kappa Alpha Theta house is a cozy, palatial paradise thanks to fluffy white rugs, high ceilings, a trendy spiral staircase, and a banquet room. They aren't kidding around when it comes to design!
Sigma Delta Tau
Though more understated than some of the more gargantuan houses at 'Bama, the Sigma Delta Tau house is no slouch with its pretty white balconies, built-in shelves, huge flat-screen TVs, and light lavender walls for a feminine yet polished feel.
Alpha Omicron Pi
The Alpha Omicron Pi house is nicknamed the AOPalace, so you know it's legit. The rooms are massive and entirely carpeted with built-in vanity areas. The formal living area features an intricately carved coffee table, a built-in white fireplace, and vintage white chandeliers. See? The name truly fits.
Chi Omega
This three-story house has sleek marble columns, the biggest backyard you've ever seen, balconies on each floor, and colorful wallpaper we can't stop staring at. It sleeps a whopping 82 sisters, who regularly stop for photo ops near the overarching facade.
Tri Delta
Appropriate to its name, the Tri Delta house has three stories and an entrance made up of three archways. There are also floor-to-ceiling glass windows and picnic tables galore—all the better for alfresco dining!
