Synagogue conversion set for summer start
The developer behind a long-running plan to convert Greenbank Synagogue in Liverpool into apartments is due to start on site in the coming months.
Approved in 2017, the scheme proposes 22 flats within the grade two star-listed former synagogue building, and a further 30 flats within its 1.1-acre grounds.
Green Drive Liverpool Ltd is behind the scheme, and said the project was due to begin after “ironing out some of the last planning points” with Liverpool City Council.
The development near Sefton Park is due to take up to 18 months, and is set to deliver a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments aimed at the owner occupier market.
The Art Deco synagogue was designed by Sir Alfred Ernest Shennan, and built in 1936. In 1983 the building was listed and in 2008 was upgraded to grade two star. In 2010 it was put on the Heritage at Risk register.
According to the planning application from NC Architecture: “The synagogue is architecturally by far the most important and innovatory 20th century synagogue in England and is the finest surviving in Europe dating from the inter-war period.
“It was built in the Art Deco style, reflecting Swedish architectural influences, setting it as a progressive building of its time. It also has important socio-historic significance as representing a cultural expression of European Jewry before the holocaust.”
Due to its protected status, the form of construction used for the conversion is “if needs be, reversible”.
In a statement the developer said “many original architectural features of the Grade two listed building will be retained, and this challenging project will require close liaison with Liverpool City Council conservation team. Hence the time period between planning being passed and works starting.”
The retained building will also house a refurbished small synagogue, a Beth Ha’medrash, for remaining members and any others that wish to visit, plus a quiet room, gallery and reading area.
The apartments are to be sold by Venmore Estate Agents
Don`t let the Nimbys get in the way of this. The synagogue is being restored not demolished
By MMcDoomsayer
What a magnificent building. At least it’s being brought back into use.
By Mark Gilbertson
In a lovely part of the city on one of the leafy drives down to Sefton Park but with all the buzz of Smithdown Rd on its doorstep. Should prove popular.
By Sceptical
Interesting plan and something a bit different. Is this the synagogue which Hitler was supposed to have walked by each day when he worked at the Adelphi? Or is that an urban myth?
By Elephant
@Elephant, re the synagogue, this one is off Smithdown road(Liverpool did/still has a quite a few).
The other Synagogue is the Princes Road one, opposite Upper Stanhope street, where my mother lived in the 1900’s to 1930’s. AH’s brother lived in Upper Stanhope street too(Along with other interesting characters from overseas) in those days, sailing ships to foriegn parts took passengers normally 10-20 as an extra form of income and service and sailed from the nearby Brunswick dock, my family were involved in some shipping business at the time. AH staying there is highly probable, as after the WW1, he moved about a bit.(Also stories of the Emperor of Japans relative living close by in the Park Road area after WW1 too)?
By Man on bicycle