The house was built at 2328 Lake Place, near the residence that Purcell and Feick had built for William Purcell's mother, Catherine Gray, on Lake of the Isles Parkway in 1907. With financial assistance from William Purcell's father, Charles A. Purcell, the firm was able to realize the project. The Purcell family moved into the house at Christmas, 1913. In 1916, a decline in commissions induced Purcell to take a position as advertising manager at Alexander Brothers Leather and Belting Company in Philadelphia. By 1918, his family had all moved to Philadelphia, and the house on Lake Place was put up for sale.