The former site of the Painted Bride Art Center is scheduled to be demolished, and the land will be turned into apartments and commercial space, writes Michaelle Bond for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
This comes after years of legal fights and shifting redevelopment plans for the longtime Old City building.
Developer and architect Shimi Zakin plans to construct a six-story, 65-foot-tall building featuring 85 apartments and approximately 6,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor.
“We are moving forward with an amazing project at an amazing location,” Zakin said.
Zakin, who acquired the property in 2022, has already received a demolition permit from the City and plans to start the process in late October.
For more than a quarter-century, the property had been the site of the Painted Bride and wrapped in a 7,000-square-foot mural created by notable Philadelphia mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar.
A years-long fight from Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens to preserve the mural led to several proposal changes that eventually led to this approved one.
Zakin said he hopes to work with Magic Gardens on a piece for the inside of the building that will reflect the respect that remains for the lost art.
He added that he anticipates the building will be completed within the next 2 1/2 years.
Read more about the demolition and future plans in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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