Synagogue Ravaged By Fire Is Beyond Repair, Architects Say

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — The landmarked synagogue that was ravaged by a fire in May is beyond repair, according to an architectural group that has surveyed the building.

The Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue, first built in 1850, was largely destroyed by a devastating fire in May. The synagogue had sat vacant and unused at 60 Norfolk St. in disrepair until May 14, when a teenager allegedly set fire to the aging structure.

Now, the building's owner and architects who have surveyed it say that despite the building's landmarked status, the fire has damaged the building so severely that it is beyond repair and must be destroyed. Representatives of the Howard L. Zimmerman Architects group presenting to the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday morning, describing the breadth of the damage to the historic structure, according to an agenda for the meeting. (Want more local news? Sign up here for free news alerts and neighborhood updates from Patch.)

The blaze, which firefighters battled for nearly five hours before extinguishing it, damaged the framework supporting the roof beyond repair, according to the architects' presentation. In addition, the the building's masonry locations are too unstable for safe use and there are "significant structural instabilities" in the stair tower.

The synagogue, which was originally build as a Baptist church in 1850, had been vacant since 2007, when the dwindling congregation moved to a nearby place of worship. It's unclear what will become of the plot of land should the congregation that owns the building be allowed to proceed with demolition plans.

Read previous coverage of the synagogue here:

• Lower East Side Synagogue Destroyed In Fire, FDNY Says
• LES Synagogue Fire Investigated As City Records Reveal A Decade Of Safety Fears
• Lower East Side Synagogue Fire: Teen Charged With Arson, Police Say

Lead image via Ciara McCarthy / Patch.