Location
652 Lexington Avenue
Completion
2001
Client
Central Synagogue
Square Footage
25,000 SF
Architect
Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, LLP
Central Synagogue
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.
Project Awards
Preservation League of New York State
Project Excellence Award
New York Landmarks Conservancy
Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Preservation Honor Award
NY Construction News – Best of 2001
Restoration Project of the Year
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.
The New Victory Theater – Originally built in 1900 as The Republic, the first performing arts venue on 42nd Street, the theater was transformed into The New Victory in 1995, becoming New York’s first theater for children and families. The renovation uncovered and restored original architectural elements, added a new lobby carved from the existing structure and bedrock, rebuilt the historic staircase, and created space for much-needed restrooms. A rear wing was added for backstage access, dressing rooms, workshops, and a loading dock, while new elevators and rooftop HVAC systems were integrated to meet modern needs of the historic theater.
We’re turning 50! As we count down to Sciame’s 50th anniversary on June 13th, we’re celebrating the moments that shaped us. For the next 50 days, we’ll be sharing one standout project a day in our “Countdown to 50”.
Thank you to our amazing clients, team, and friends! We wouldn’t be here without you.
