Inga SaffronWhat I DoI write about the design of buildings and places, and what those designs tell us about our culture, our values, and our policy choices.Philadelphia Ballet’s new home makes a daring leap onto North Broad Street. Will its solid facade keep people away? The ballet missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on in its building.Inga Saffron Sept. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboardThe new Bruce Springsteen museum is a giant scrapbook that validates New Jersey’s role as a music incubatorIt’s the latest pilgrimage site on New Jersey’s rock-and-roll trail. Inga Saffron | Columnist June 13, 2026Link copied to clipboardHistoric preservation isn’t the villain in the debate over housing affordabilityBy practicing ‘gentle density,’ these architects create more housing for less money, using fewer natural resources.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 3, 2026Link copied to clipboardWith proposed demolitions, a reinvention plan for Market Street is off to a rocky startThe new playbook is starting to look a lot like the old playbook.Inga Saffron Nov. 6, 2025Link copied to clipboardManayunk church prepares for floods by turning a Main Street mill into a modern Noah’s Ark The project offers a solution for preserving vulnerable historic buildings in a time of rapid climate change. But it might not work forever. Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboardGrays Ferry Avenue is already a speedway. CHOP’s mammoth garage will make it even worse.The garage threatens to undermine the transformation of the neighborhood, recently improved by the new Schuylkill Banks bridge.Inga Saffron | Columnist May 28, 2025Link copied to clipboardPhiladelphia bet its future on the ‘meds and eds’ now under attack by DOGEGovernment investment in research, hospitals, and universities is what saved older cities after U.S. manufacturing imploded in the 1970s.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 24, 2025Link copied to clipboardHow to give up your car (sometimes), save money, and save the planetIt’s a big life change, so take things one step at a time.Inga Saffron Aug. 31, 2026Link copied to clipboardMeet the architect who’s trying to revive Market East with retail pop-upsThis summer’s experiment could help Philadelphia develop a strategy to counter the retail apocalypse.Inga Saffron May 4, 2026Link copied to clipboardYo, Philly! There’s no need to move the Rocky statueRelocating the statue to the top of the museum steps is part of the creeping privatization of the Art Museum grounds.Inga Saffron | Columnist Jan. 22, 2026Link copied to clipboardForman Arts Initiative promises to turn North American Street into a grittier version of the ParkwayAt a time when legacy institutions are struggling, newer, more nimble arts groups are expanding.Inga Saffron | Columnist Nov. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboardWalling off Market East’s public spaces will stymie its comebackIn a clumsy attempt to address drug use on 12th Street, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown has locked up its outdoor cafe and a well-known sculpture.Inga Saffron | Columnist Aug. 3, 2025Link copied to clipboardThe Bellevue was once Philly's grandest hotel. After a lengthy renovation, it's grand againErin Reynolds, Inga Saffron, and Gabe Coffey May 22, 2025Link copied to clipboardMayor Parker can help keep the arts in the Avenue of the Arts — if she acts quickly Lindsey Scannapieco, who turned the Bok Building into a hive for makers, is going toe-to-toe with a deep-pocketed developer to gain control of UArts' flagship building.Inga Saffron | Columnist Feb. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboardWilliam Way center’s proposed demolition would erase an important Philly landmarkWhat’s the Gayborhood without the William Way LGBT Community Center’s historic home?Inga Saffron July 26, 2026Link copied to clipboardPhiladelphia needs more housing. So why does Center City still have so many parking lots?More than two dozen sites continue to be used for public parking in Center City, one of Philadelphia’s most desirable residential areas. Those lots are a valuable, untapped resource.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 6, 2026Link copied to clipboardGrids are out, brick is back, and Philadelphia architects have rediscovered the archThe urge for the curve extends to interior design, furniture, and restaurants.Inga Saffron Dec. 19, 2025Link copied to clipboardCalder Gardens is a luminous, magical spirit cave that subverts the Parkway’s monumentality | OpinionThe project offers Philadelphia a new way to think about the flawed Parkway.Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboardTayyib Smith wants to make a derelict Kensington bank a testing ground for ‘ethical’ real estate development. Can it work? The project tackles the racial wealth gap by providing underrepresented businesses with work space and tax breaks.Inga Saffron | Columnist June 30, 2025Link copied to clipboardAfter surviving its latest near-death experience, the Bellevue offers lessons for today’s PhiladelphiaThe new incarnation of the “Grand Dame of Broad Street” includes several public attractions along with luxury apartments and fancy ballrooms.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 28, 2025Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Philadelphia Ballet’s new home makes a daring leap onto North Broad Street. Will its solid facade keep people away? The ballet missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on in its building.Inga Saffron Sept. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia Ballet’s new home makes a daring leap onto North Broad Street. Will its solid facade keep people away? The ballet missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on in its building.Inga Saffron Sept. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The new Bruce Springsteen museum is a giant scrapbook that validates New Jersey’s role as a music incubatorIt’s the latest pilgrimage site on New Jersey’s rock-and-roll trail. Inga Saffron | Columnist June 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The new Bruce Springsteen museum is a giant scrapbook that validates New Jersey’s role as a music incubatorIt’s the latest pilgrimage site on New Jersey’s rock-and-roll trail. Inga Saffron | Columnist June 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Historic preservation isn’t the villain in the debate over housing affordabilityBy practicing ‘gentle density,’ these architects create more housing for less money, using fewer natural resources.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Historic preservation isn’t the villain in the debate over housing affordabilityBy practicing ‘gentle density,’ these architects create more housing for less money, using fewer natural resources.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
With proposed demolitions, a reinvention plan for Market Street is off to a rocky startThe new playbook is starting to look a lot like the old playbook.Inga Saffron Nov. 6, 2025Link copied to clipboard
With proposed demolitions, a reinvention plan for Market Street is off to a rocky startThe new playbook is starting to look a lot like the old playbook.Inga Saffron Nov. 6, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Manayunk church prepares for floods by turning a Main Street mill into a modern Noah’s Ark The project offers a solution for preserving vulnerable historic buildings in a time of rapid climate change. But it might not work forever. Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Manayunk church prepares for floods by turning a Main Street mill into a modern Noah’s Ark The project offers a solution for preserving vulnerable historic buildings in a time of rapid climate change. But it might not work forever. Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Grays Ferry Avenue is already a speedway. CHOP’s mammoth garage will make it even worse.The garage threatens to undermine the transformation of the neighborhood, recently improved by the new Schuylkill Banks bridge.Inga Saffron | Columnist May 28, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Grays Ferry Avenue is already a speedway. CHOP’s mammoth garage will make it even worse.The garage threatens to undermine the transformation of the neighborhood, recently improved by the new Schuylkill Banks bridge.Inga Saffron | Columnist May 28, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia bet its future on the ‘meds and eds’ now under attack by DOGEGovernment investment in research, hospitals, and universities is what saved older cities after U.S. manufacturing imploded in the 1970s.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 24, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia bet its future on the ‘meds and eds’ now under attack by DOGEGovernment investment in research, hospitals, and universities is what saved older cities after U.S. manufacturing imploded in the 1970s.Inga Saffron | Columnist March 24, 2025Link copied to clipboard
How to give up your car (sometimes), save money, and save the planetIt’s a big life change, so take things one step at a time.Inga Saffron Aug. 31, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How to give up your car (sometimes), save money, and save the planetIt’s a big life change, so take things one step at a time.Inga Saffron Aug. 31, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Meet the architect who’s trying to revive Market East with retail pop-upsThis summer’s experiment could help Philadelphia develop a strategy to counter the retail apocalypse.Inga Saffron May 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Meet the architect who’s trying to revive Market East with retail pop-upsThis summer’s experiment could help Philadelphia develop a strategy to counter the retail apocalypse.Inga Saffron May 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Yo, Philly! There’s no need to move the Rocky statueRelocating the statue to the top of the museum steps is part of the creeping privatization of the Art Museum grounds.Inga Saffron | Columnist Jan. 22, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Yo, Philly! There’s no need to move the Rocky statueRelocating the statue to the top of the museum steps is part of the creeping privatization of the Art Museum grounds.Inga Saffron | Columnist Jan. 22, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Forman Arts Initiative promises to turn North American Street into a grittier version of the ParkwayAt a time when legacy institutions are struggling, newer, more nimble arts groups are expanding.Inga Saffron | Columnist Nov. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Forman Arts Initiative promises to turn North American Street into a grittier version of the ParkwayAt a time when legacy institutions are struggling, newer, more nimble arts groups are expanding.Inga Saffron | Columnist Nov. 2, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Walling off Market East’s public spaces will stymie its comebackIn a clumsy attempt to address drug use on 12th Street, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown has locked up its outdoor cafe and a well-known sculpture.Inga Saffron | Columnist Aug. 3, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Walling off Market East’s public spaces will stymie its comebackIn a clumsy attempt to address drug use on 12th Street, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown has locked up its outdoor cafe and a well-known sculpture.Inga Saffron | Columnist Aug. 3, 2025Link copied to clipboard
The Bellevue was once Philly's grandest hotel. After a lengthy renovation, it's grand againErin Reynolds, Inga Saffron, and Gabe Coffey May 22, 2025Link copied to clipboard
The Bellevue was once Philly's grandest hotel. After a lengthy renovation, it's grand againErin Reynolds, Inga Saffron, and Gabe Coffey May 22, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Mayor Parker can help keep the arts in the Avenue of the Arts — if she acts quickly Lindsey Scannapieco, who turned the Bok Building into a hive for makers, is going toe-to-toe with a deep-pocketed developer to gain control of UArts' flagship building.Inga Saffron | Columnist Feb. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Mayor Parker can help keep the arts in the Avenue of the Arts — if she acts quickly Lindsey Scannapieco, who turned the Bok Building into a hive for makers, is going toe-to-toe with a deep-pocketed developer to gain control of UArts' flagship building.Inga Saffron | Columnist Feb. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboard
William Way center’s proposed demolition would erase an important Philly landmarkWhat’s the Gayborhood without the William Way LGBT Community Center’s historic home?Inga Saffron July 26, 2026Link copied to clipboard
William Way center’s proposed demolition would erase an important Philly landmarkWhat’s the Gayborhood without the William Way LGBT Community Center’s historic home?Inga Saffron July 26, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia needs more housing. So why does Center City still have so many parking lots?More than two dozen sites continue to be used for public parking in Center City, one of Philadelphia’s most desirable residential areas. Those lots are a valuable, untapped resource.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia needs more housing. So why does Center City still have so many parking lots?More than two dozen sites continue to be used for public parking in Center City, one of Philadelphia’s most desirable residential areas. Those lots are a valuable, untapped resource.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Grids are out, brick is back, and Philadelphia architects have rediscovered the archThe urge for the curve extends to interior design, furniture, and restaurants.Inga Saffron Dec. 19, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Grids are out, brick is back, and Philadelphia architects have rediscovered the archThe urge for the curve extends to interior design, furniture, and restaurants.Inga Saffron Dec. 19, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Calder Gardens is a luminous, magical spirit cave that subverts the Parkway’s monumentality | OpinionThe project offers Philadelphia a new way to think about the flawed Parkway.Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Calder Gardens is a luminous, magical spirit cave that subverts the Parkway’s monumentality | OpinionThe project offers Philadelphia a new way to think about the flawed Parkway.Inga Saffron | Columnist Sept. 15, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Tayyib Smith wants to make a derelict Kensington bank a testing ground for ‘ethical’ real estate development. Can it work? The project tackles the racial wealth gap by providing underrepresented businesses with work space and tax breaks.Inga Saffron | Columnist June 30, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Tayyib Smith wants to make a derelict Kensington bank a testing ground for ‘ethical’ real estate development. Can it work? The project tackles the racial wealth gap by providing underrepresented businesses with work space and tax breaks.Inga Saffron | Columnist June 30, 2025Link copied to clipboard
After surviving its latest near-death experience, the Bellevue offers lessons for today’s PhiladelphiaThe new incarnation of the “Grand Dame of Broad Street” includes several public attractions along with luxury apartments and fancy ballrooms.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 28, 2025Link copied to clipboard
After surviving its latest near-death experience, the Bellevue offers lessons for today’s PhiladelphiaThe new incarnation of the “Grand Dame of Broad Street” includes several public attractions along with luxury apartments and fancy ballrooms.Inga Saffron | Columnist April 28, 2025Link copied to clipboard