Philadelphia · Old City · #CP-2023-004665
230 Vine St
230 Vine St, Old City, PA · 75 homes, mixed use
About this project
A six-story building at 230 Vine St in Old City with 75 dwelling units and commercial space, plus a basement garage with car lifts. A January 2026 amendment reduced the unit count from 85 to 75 and expanded the commercial space.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX (6) STORY BUILDING WITH ROOF DECKS AND PILOT HOUSE FOR USE AS SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AND EIGHTY-FIVE (85) DWELLING UNITS WITH ACCESSORY PARKING GARAGE AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO UTILIZE HORIZONTAL SEPARATIONS TO CREATE TWO (2) SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH TWO (2) DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION TYPES (BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOOR - TYPE IA AND 2ND THROUGH 6TH FLOORS - TYPE IIIB). FIRE RETARDANT TREATED STUDS AND SHEATHING REQUIRED FOR TYPE III CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. FIRE WATCH REQUIRED PER CODE BULLETIN F-2001. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK** AMENDMENT APPROVED 1/24/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2023-004665 FOR STRUCTURAL AND LAYOUT CHANGES TO INCLUDE CAR LIFTS IN BASEMENT GARAGE, EXPANSION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE, REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS TO SEVENTY-FIVE (75) AND INCLUSION OF HORIZONTAL EXITS AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Applicant
- PAINTED BRIDE ART, CENTER INC
- Contractor
- ATRIUM LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)|U Utility and Miscellaneous|Unknown/Other
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2025-05-05 · #CP-2023-004665 · Building permit (new construction) · 85 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The site at 230 Vine St in Old City was long home to the Painted Bride Art Center, a building covered in a large mosaic mural. It is being replaced by a six-story mixed-use building about 65 feet tall. County records list 75 homes, plus commercial space and a basement garage with car lifts. A January 2026 amendment cut the count from 85 to 75 and enlarged the commercial space.
The building was sold to a developer in 2022. An earlier plan to build above the mural was overturned in court after neighbors challenged the zoning approval over height. Later plans for a six-story building were allowed under the zoning code. Demolition was reported under way in December 2025. A local arts organization has been salvaging mosaic tiles for reuse, and the developer has said it plans to include parts of the mural in the new building.
No information was found on who will occupy the commercial space.
What it could mean nearby
- Replacing a closed building with about 75 homes adds housing in a walkable part of Old City.
- New ground-floor commercial space could bring shops or services to Vine St.
- The basement garage with car lifts keeps parking off the street, but car lifts can cause entry queuing; no traffic study was found.
- Demolition ended the mural in its original form. Some salvaged tiles may be reused.
Where it stands
Building permits for an 85-unit version were reported in May 2025, and demolition was under way by December 2025. The January 2026 amendment cut the plan to 75 units. Construction normally follows demolition, with city inspections along the way. No construction progress was found online.
- Jan 2026 County amendment reduced the units from 85 to 75 and expanded the commercial space
- Dec 2025 Demolition reported under way, with mosaic tiles being salvaged
- May 2025 Permits reported for a six-story, 85-unit building with commercial space and a garage
- 2023 Plan for a six-story building reported, allowed under the zoning code
- 2022 Property sold to the current developer
- Aug 2021 Zoning board approved an earlier plan, which a judge later reversed
Want to weigh in? Permits are already issued, so no public vote is known to be pending. Questions can go to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections or the local registered community organization.
Who's behind it
Groom Investments LLC (design by Atrium Design Group) · Groom Investments LLC is the permit holder reported for the project. Atrium Design Group is the architect and the developer of the site.
Around the web
- Painted Bride art building demolitionBilly Penn · Dec 11, 2025Reports that demolition began, the mural was lost, tiles were being salvaged, and a six-story apartment and commercial building is planned.
- Permits Issued for 230-36 Vine Street in Old City, PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia YIMBY · May 7, 2025Reports permits for a six-story, 65-foot building with 85 units, ground-floor commercial space and a garage.
- Painted Bride demolition in Old CityThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Sep 25, 2025Reports the city issued a permit to demolish the former Painted Bride building.
- Painted Bride mosaic mural, Old City short-term rental planThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Feb 13, 2023Describes the 2023 plan for a six-story building replacing the mural-covered building.
- Painted Bride mural zoning appealThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Jun 22, 2022Covers the neighbor appeal of the earlier zoning approval.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with shops, offices or other businesses.
- Zoning variance
- Special permission from the zoning board to build something the zoning rules would not otherwise allow.
- By-right
- Allowed under the zoning rules, so no special approval from the zoning board is needed.
- Car lift
- A mechanical platform that moves cars between the street and a basement garage.
- Amendment
- A change to a filed plan, here a lower unit count and more commercial space.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $42.0M
- ~2,400 roofing squares
- ~75 HVAC systems
- ~75 kitchens / 150+ bathrooms
- ~210,000 sq ft of finished living space
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