It was on Tuesday when the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a proposal from the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue - found on 11 East 11th Street between Fifth Avenue and University Place in Greenwich Village. After several years of service, the synagogue is finally getting a makeover and an expansion.
In designating the Greenwich Village Historic District, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) said that the two-story structure was built before 1898.
On the other hand, Higgins specified the year as 1852, when the property was initially constructed as a stable. It eventually became a garage and what Higgins calls as an "artistic residence." It was in 1961 when the building was turned into a synagogue "with a small congregation."
The proposal was apparently a group effort from various firms. The New York YIMBY reports:
"The synagogue's proposal was designed by architect Jonathan S. Kammel and landscape architect Robin Key of Robin Key Landscape Architecture, with renderings done by Avoid Obvious. It was presented by preservation consultant Bill Higgins of Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, though Rabbi Joe Schwartz also spoke to say how much his congregation needs expanded and updated facilities."
As it turns out, this isn't the first time the congregation proposed an expansion for the building. A "more imposing expansion" was proposed in 1981. A letter from the LPC dated 1982 partially approved the proposal, although it never came to completion.
The proposal allows the front end of the building to be expanded by approximately 12 feet. While there is no room to expand on the site's rear end, the expansion still preserves the building's front courtyard, diminishing the 57 feet and nine-inch space to 46 feet and one inch.
The ginko tree will remain in its current location, while its surroundings get an upgrade, which includes new planters, walls, and lighting. Higgins adds that there will be "generous hours" for public use of the space.
Check out photos of the plans and the current synagogue by clicking on the links below:
