Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Mole Street has long stood out as a stronghold of affordability and quirk in Center City. Until now — with a new owner undertaking dramatic redevelopment of the block.
Last year, Purity Homes bought eight of the 30 North Mole Street homes for $3.1 million. More purchases are in the works.
They planned to build expansive additions on the rear of the houses to allow for more square footage and rentable space and to eventually transform the rest of the block.
However, following an Inquirer article about the project, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued stop work orders for “work not according to approved plans.” Mole Street is historically protected, and Purity Homes was building beyond the scope of their permits.
Since the stop work orders, construction has paused, but many longtime tenants still anticipate being made to leave their homes.
“We’re all being forced out of the houses that we love living in,” said one longtime resident.
Real estate reporter Jake Blumgart covers the changing fortunes of the office, housing, and retail sector in Philadelphia. Read more of his reporting here: inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/mole-street-stop-work-historical-commission-20260717.html
📝 by Jake Blumgart / Staff
📹 by Erin Reynolds / Staff
🌐 by Gabe Coffey / Staff
Additional photos courtesy of Julian D. Zuniga and Philip Gabriel Photography
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Mole Street has long stood out as a stronghold of affordability and quirk in Center City. Until now — with a new owner undertaking dramatic redevelopment of the block.
Last year, Purity Homes bought eight of the 30 North Mole Street homes for $3.1 million. More purchases are in the works.
They planned to build expansive additions on the rear of the houses to allow for more square footage and rentable space and to eventually transform the rest of the block.
However, following an Inquirer article about the project, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued stop work orders for “work not according to approved plans.” Mole Street is historically protected, and Purity Homes was building beyond the scope of their permits.
Since the stop work orders, construction has paused, but many longtime tenants still anticipate being made to leave their homes.
“We’re all being forced out of the houses that we love living in,” said one longtime resident.
Real estate reporter Jake Blumgart covers the changing fortunes of the office, housing, and retail sector in Philadelphia. Read more of his reporting here: inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/mole-street-stop-work-historical-commission-20260717.html
📝 by Jake Blumgart / Staff
📹 by Erin Reynolds / Staff
🌐 by Gabe Coffey / Staff
Additional photos courtesy of Julian D. Zuniga and Philip Gabriel Photography
If you value this work, please consider subscribing to the Philadelphia Inquirer ►► inquirer.com/youtube
More from Philadelphia Inquirer Video:
Watch all of our videos here: inquirer.com/video
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philadelphia...
Instagram: instagram.com/phillyinquirer
