The “Broken Chains” mural at 52nd and Larchwood will be removed due to a new construction project.

Murals are an important part of Philadelphia history and cultural legacy, so it’s a big deal for many residents to hear that a mural in their neighborhood has to be removed. We learned that the “Broken Chains” mural at 52nd and Larchwood can’t be saved due to a new construction project. Understanding the mural’s importance to the community, the project developer, West Philly-based real estate and development firm Spak Group, has offered to fund a new mural at the same location after the construction project is completed.

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and artists KC White and Gabe Tiberino have been engaged to work on the new mural, and community members are invited this Thursday (April 13) to join the conversation and help inform the design of the mural that will celebrate Black History and empowerment. The meeting will take place at Philadelphia Student Union (501 S. 52nd St.), beginning at 6:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be served. 

The project, which is the Spak Group’s fifth construction project in the area, includes rebuilding five vacant and distressed properties at that intersection as well as some work at Malcolm X Park. The exact address is 500 S. 52nd Street.

“With a collapsing roof, our work at 500 S. 52nd Street will add a floor to the building creating three apartments and one commercial space that will house another sit-down restaurant (Lease has already been executed),” Spak wrote in an e-mail.

“During construction the original mural will be damaged. We recognize that the mural has become as much a part of the community as the Park and for that reason we engaged with Mural Arts to ensure that the Mural was re-imagined with a similar theme and that the community is completely a part of the process; including a community meeting to discuss the theme, meet the artists and a community paint day where the entire community will have a chance to put brush to brick!”

Spak Group helped restore Larchwood Flats at 501 S. 52nd Street (see photo below), the project that won the University City Historical Society Preservation Award and the Community Design Collaborative Extreme Make-Over Award. The company has also helped the Friends of Malcolm X Park to install new signs and new benches at the park. Ryan Spak is also known for developing and spearheading the University City District’s program Project Rehab that helps property owners rehabilitate distressed properties.

Larchwood Flats at 52nd and Larchwood (Photo courtesy of Spak Group).