(PRWEB) May 18, 2006 -- Accompanied by the sound of applause, a boom lift gently placed the new central ornamental finial onto the roof of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, marking the end of one phase of a 20-year, $12 million restoration project. Seaboard Weatherproofing & Restoration Company completed the second phase of the project with its work on the exterior and façade of the synagogue.
“ The installation of the finial marks the end of one phase of this phenomenal community effort ”
The Eldridge Street Synagogue was built in 1887, the first grand house of worship built in New York by Jews from Eastern Europe. The ornate building melded Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish styling into an imposing structure. The building suffered the ravages of time and had deteriorated substantially prior to the start of restoration in 2005 under the auspices of the not-for-profit Eldridge Street Project. The original seven finials were removed in 1960.
As the lead contractors for the façade work, Seaboard cleaned the beige brick façade, repointed the masonry, repaired the wooded window surrounds, and restored the synagogue’s large terra-cotta center window.
The finials were made up of a stainless steel framework surrounded by a decorative fiberglass shell. They were each topped with a cast aluminum Star of David. Glenridge Fabricators of Queens fabricated the stainless steel armatures. These armatures were then transported to Architectural Fiberglass of Long Island where the decorative fiberglass surrounds were created and installed around the stainless steel frame. The cast aluminum stars were fabricated by Gratz Industries of Queens. The design by Walter Sedovic Architects is based by upon rough historic sketches of the original finials as these originals were removed from the building many years ago.
“The installation of the finial marks the end of one phase of this phenomenal community effort,” said Seaboard Project Manager Jeff Smith. “It was an honor to help bring this landmark back to its former glory.”
The elaborate façade features a large rose window, elaborate cornices, molded brick work, and Central Gable, along with keyhole-shaped windows that accommodate stained glass. Moorish touches include rounded arches, bell-shaped pinnacles, and intricately carved columns. All were restored by Seaboard.
The synagogue is the latest high-profile building in Manhattan that Seaboard has worked on. The company is currently working on the Woolworth Building and recently completed the restoration of 90 West Street, a Cass Gilbert masterpiece that The New York Times called the “miracle survivor of 9-11.”
About Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company:
Based in Port Chester, NY, Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company is one of the leading restoration and alteration construction firms in the New York City metropolitan area. The company has received several accolades for its work on high-profile projects, including The Elephant House at the Bronx Zoo, The Cloisters museum, and 90 West Street, originally constructed in 1907 and designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, which experienced extensive damage during the 9-11 attack. For more information, please call (800) 347-7464 or visit
www.seaboardwpr.com.
