Cong Shearith Israel

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-classical 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.

Restored Exterior of Sanctuary - View from Central Park West

Outside, gentle mist cleaning and repair 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 consulting firms, the work of numerous artisans expert in century-old building crafts and direction by highly professional and dedicated 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 Stephen Tilly, Architect

Exterior of Sanctuary before restoration

Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York

Interior Restoration

Inside, heating and air conditioning 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 construction. For services, the architectural team designed and had installed a new sound system compliant with Orthodox Jewish proscriptions against work on the Restored Sanctuary interior Sabbath. 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 Munsell 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, tarnished black before restoration

Stephen Tilly, Architect

Ner Tamid after restoration