Designed by architect Willis G. Hale and built between 1892 and 1894, the building originally functioned as apartments, housing some of Philadelphia's wealthy residents.

It deteriorated, with graffiti all over the walls, broken windows, and crumbling stone until late 2015 when a new owner began a massive renovation project.

Not only were construction materials and techniques not capable of supporting taller buildings, but the inconvenience of the many flights of stairs to get to higher floors in the absence of an elevator was significant.

Among others, the rules included no smoking, no drinking, no profanity, and no undue mixing of the sexes, with men and women residing on different floors of the building.

The movement also opened the kitchen on the first floor as a public dining room where persons from the community were able to purchase and eat low-cost meals for 25 cents.

The Universal Peace Mission Movement still exists in the form of a network of independent churches, businesses, and religious orders.

In February 2015 the developer announced renovation plans to convert the building into rental units with restaurants on the ground level pending closing on financing.

In 2022 apartment leases were not being renewed and the building was converted into an extended-stay hotel known as the Mint House at The Divine Lorraine.

In January 2025 the hotel portion, Mint House, was closed although all of the commercial venues and event spaces remained open.