In 631 N. Broad Street v. Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 2017 Phila. Ct. Com. Pl. LEXIS 194 (July 10), Judge Ramy I. Djerassi recently allowed a neighboring property owner to prevent a real estate developer from creating openings in a side wall to a building it owned for the installation of windows for proposed residences. In doing so, Djerassi dealt with what constitutes a party wall and the rights and obligations of neighboring property owners in its maintenance and alterations.

In 631 N. Broad Street, 631 North Broad Street and Congregation Rodeph Shalom owned neighboring properties on North Broad Street in Philadelphia. 631 North Broad Street owned the property it was aptly named for and Congregation Rodeph Shalom owned 619 North Broad Street. The property owned by Congregation Rodeph Shalom is immediately south and adjacent to the 631 North Broad Street property, the opinion said.

According to the opinion, the building situated on the 631 North Broad Street property was built in the 1860s. At the time, that property was built to be a stable, the opinion said.