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Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York Exterior Restoration

The Congregation Shearith Israel was


founded in 1654 and was the first Jewish
Congregation to be established in North
America. Facing Central Park at 70th
Street, the synagogue holds a proud place
among a row of distinguished early 20th
century apartment houses and neo-clas-
sical buildings on Central Park West
including the Ethical Culture Society, the
Christian Science Church and the New
York Historical Society.

In 1999 Stephen Tilly, Architect began the


restoration of the landmark 1897 Beaux
Arts Sanctuary, designed by architect
Arnold Brunner with interior finishes by
Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Outside, gentle mist cleaning and repair


Restored Exterior of Sanctuary - View from Central Park West restored the luminous limestone façade.
New copper and membrane roofs and
flashings secured the envelope.

The successful restoration of Congregation Shearith Israel was


made possible by contributions from ten specialized consult-
ing firms, the work of numerous artisans expert in century-old
building crafts and direction by highly professional and dedi-
cated construction management.

Construction Manager:
Bovis Lend Lease
New York, NY

Mechanical Engineer:
Landmark Facilities Group, Inc.
Norwalk, CT

Structural Engineer:
Robert Silman Associates, P.C.
New York, NY

Acoustical Analysis:
Marshall KMK
Chappaqua, NY

Project Staff:
Stephen Tilly, Principal
Robert Gabalski, Senior Architect
Margaret Gaertner, Preservation Specialist
Stuart Johnson, Architectural Designer Exterior of Sanctuary before restoration

Stephen Tilly, Architect


Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York Interior Restoration

Inside, heating and air con-


ditioning were overhauled
and lighting upgraded. Fire
detection and suppression
systems were installed,
including New York City’s
first mist sprinkler system, a
technology devised expressly
for the protection of art
works and fine finishes. A
rigorous fire detection system
was maintained during con-
struction. For services, the
architectural team designed
and had installed a new
sound system compliant with
Orthodox Jewish proscrip-
tions against work on the
Sabbath. Restored Sanctuary interior

As work on interior elements progressed, Tiffany’s vision


for the synagogue came to life after a century of being
hidden. Restored light fixtures of glowing brass, gold and
silver, long tarnished black, illuminated a color scheme
reconstructed through microscopic paint analysis and Mun-
sell matching with contemporary materials. Light reflected
from refreshed surfaces echoes and complements colors in
the (Tiffany) stained glass windows. Restored architectural
plaster (scagliola), in concert with Numidian marble, adds
depth and complexity to Tiffany’s subtle masterpiece. The
interior and exterior work was completed in 2002.

Women’s balcony, with restored scagliola, sconces,


chandeliers and pews

Ner Tamid, the Eternal Flame, tar- Ner Tamid after restoration
nished black before restoration
Stephen Tilly, Architect

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