Location
652 Lexington Avenue
Completion
2001
Client
Central Synagogue
Square Footage
25,000 SF
Architect
Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, LLP
Location
652 Lexington Avenue
Completion
2001
Client
Central Synagogue
Square Footage
25,000 SF
Architect
Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, LLP
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the restoration of Manhattan’s oldest Synagogue. Built in 1870, it was ravaged by fire in 1998 and required major restoration and reconstruction to recapture the original grandeur of the building. The building, being fully exposed to weather, required immediate stabilization and the erection of a temporary roof structure. New structural wood roof trusses were integrated into the building along with a new slate roof, using slate from the original quarry.
Fiberglass was used to restore the ornate crenellations that circle the onion shaped dome on the towers. Additionally, 23-carat gold leaf was applied to the decorative bands of the domes, finials, and ribs of the tower. Smaller finials that crown the adjacent stair towers were reconstructed using copper and then topped with gilded stars.
Three 6’ square stained-glass laylight windows and twelve double-story stained glass windows were restored. Work also included the integration of a new HVAC system with five new air-intake ventilators into the roof, the re-pointing and cleaning of the sandstone exterior, and the complete restoration of the interiors.
Upon stabilization of the roof, plaster specialists were brought in to make molds of all remaining profiles. These molds were then incorporated into construction drawings for bid and fabrication. Any missing moldings or paint colors were acquired from the historic archives by the preservation consultant. Sixty-nine paint colors and over 5,000 stencils were used to bring back the historic splendor of the interior.
What a night! A huge thank you to everyone who came out on Wednesday to represent Team Sciame at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Central Park!
Despite the weather, the Sciame team showed up strong, lacing up and powering through the 3½-mile course!
We’re proud of the determination, camaraderie, and good humor everyone brought to a soggy evening in the park.
#jpmcc
New York Construction’s Contractor of the Year – Looking back, 2006 was a standout year for Sciame Construction. We were honored as Contractor of the Year, a testament to our growing reputation for delivering some of New York City’s most architecturally daring and culturally significant projects.
In April 2006, Sciame Construction completed the Morgan Library and Museum Expansion, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and BBB Architects. The project was led by then EVP/Division Head Joseph Mizzi, who began his career at Sciame 11 years earlier in 1995.
The following month, our founder, Frank Sciame, passed the torch of day-to-day leadership by promoting Joseph Mizzi to President of Sciame Construction, while continuing to serve as Chairman and CEO.
This leadership transition helped shape the next chapter of our story, and was memorialized in the cover photo of New York Construction, and the firm’s Contractor of the Year honor.
Thanks a Half-Billion! – At Sciame Construction, we proudly led the effort to reimagine the WTC Memorial and Museum, a project of national significance. Frank Sciame, our founder, was tasked with creating a design that honored the original vision while staying within a $500 million budget. Working closely with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and a team of 13 advisers, including notable figures like Jack Rudin and Robert Douglass, we developed cost-effective design options, ultimately reducing the budget from nearly $1 billion to $510 million. Our approach preserved key elements like the voids, waterfalls, and pools while optimizing infrastructure and resizing the museum. Sciame’s commitment to excellence ensured a memorial that balances beauty, dignity, and sustainability.
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center – Though relatively small in size, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center was a technically complex project successfully constructed and delivered by Sciame Construction. This groundbreaking laboratory made an outsized impact on global health. It was here that Dr. David Ho pioneered the development of the revolutionary “AIDS cocktail,” a combination therapy that transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. His groundbreaking work earned him the title of TIME magazine’s Man of the Year, underscoring the center’s profound contribution to the fight against the AIDS epidemic.