Condo development planned for site of iconic Painted Bride building

A new 16-unit condo development could be going up at the site of the mosaic-covered Painted Bride building in Old City.

Developers Atrium Design Group recently filed building permits for the project which includes two rows of duplexes that reach five stories and include a total of 16 condos, according to a report from PlanPhilly. There’s also roof access and 16 parking spaces included in the 54,000-square-foot project.

The news comes in the midst of a legal battle over the sale of the former performing arts space at 230 Vine Street. The Painted Bride Performing Arts Center, a group that’s called the building home since the 1980s, announced in 2017 that they were putting it up for sale. The decision was met by opposition from many people who love the building and its famous, Isaiah Zagar-designed mosaic facade.

Then, in another blow for supporters of the building, the Historical Commission voted last year not to give the structure a historic designation, meaning it’s not protected from demolition.

The Painted Bride accepted a $4.8 million bid to sell the building back in May, according to a report from the Inquirer.

But opponents of the sale are not going down without a fight. Last week they filed a petition in Orphan’s Court arguing that the Painted Bride board had failed in its responsibilities, and they called for the replacement of the entire Painted Bride board, the Inquirer wrote.