The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously yesterday to grant landmark status — for the third time — to the former headquarters of Jamaica Savings Bank, a 110-year-old Beaux-Arts style building located at 161-02 Jamaica Ave. in Queens. Completed in 1898, the four-story, limestone-fronted Jamaica Savings Bank building was designed by the architecture firm Hough & Duell. The two prior designations occurred in 1974 and 1992 but were rescinded by the Board of Estimate and by the City Council, respectively. Opposition came from Community Board 12, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, which called the building "an eyesore," and the owner of the building, Fred Stark, who argued that the designation could impose a financial hardship. The commission also designated Congregation Tifereth Israel, which is believed to be the oldest purpose-built synagogue in Queens. The two designations bring the total number of buildings with landmark status in Queens to 2,328.
Former bank, synagogue get landmark designation in Queens -- Newsday.com by Ula Ilnytzky
NEW YORK - A nearly century-old, wood-frame synagogue in
The four-story, limestone-fronted building that was once home to the Jamaica Savings Bank was completed in 1898, just as the five boroughs were being consolidated into the city of
The two-story Congregation Tifereth Israel, believed to be the oldest synagogue still in use as a house of worship in Queens, was built in 1911 by Eastern European Jews from
The congregation later opened a nearby yeshiva, which was used as a music studio in the mid-1970s and was briefly the home of singer
The current congregation, which is planning a restoration of the building, is mostly comprised of Bukharian Jews from former Soviet republics.
Landmarks Preservation Commission chairman Robert B. Tierney said the buildings represent two important chapters in the history of the borough.
"One is an exuberant symbol of the borough's economic growth at the turn of the 20th century," he said, "and the other is a modest reminder of a time shortly thereafter when Jewish communities first started to settle in the borough."
The designations must still be approved by the City Planning Commission and the
The former bank building, adorned with French Baroque ornament and wrought iron balconies, had twice before come up for landmark status. Currently vacant, the building is owned by the department store chain Conway Stores.
"The Jamaica Savings Bank represents the prosperous past of Jamaica Avenue," said Conway co-owner Ricky Cohen. "We hope that the restoration and plans for future use of the building will help spur economic growth and rightfully restore the pride associated with this magnificent building."
