Historic Liverpool building to get new lease of life
A synagogue in Liverpool which was in danger of falling into dereliction is to be transformed into up-market flats.
Work is finally set to start on the Greenbank Drive Synagogue after years of delays and hitches.
The developer behind the scheme has now ironed out some of the last planning points with Liverpool City Council and contractors will be appointed shortly.
Work is expected to take between 12-18 months to complete.
The site will see Green Drive Liverpool Ltd create a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments aimed at the owner occupier market, built in a gated community within and around the original synagogue building.
The conversion of the grade II former synagogue into 22 apartments will also see an additional 30 new apartments to be built within the grounds.
Built in Art-Deco style, many original architectural features of the building will be retained.
The challenging project will require close liaison with Liverpool City Council Conservation team.
The retained building will house a refurbished small synagogue (Beth Ha’medrash) for those remaining members and any others that wish to visit, plus a quiet room and reading area, containing the original pews, to showcase the synagogue’s history.
A small coffee area will also be created within the new “internal street” adding to the sense of community.
The scheme will create a cultural mixed-use facility combining both viable residential use and yet retaining the core spiritual and social functions of the former 1,200 seat synagogue.
Greenbank Drive Synagogue was designed by Sir Alfred Ernest Shennan, built in 1936 and consecrated in 1937 for the Liverpool Jewish community.
In 1983 the building was listed and in 2008 the listing was upgraded to Grade II* to protect its future after the building closed for good and the congregation dwindled to fewer than 40, with only one service being held a week.
Robert Issler from Green Drive Liverpool Ltd, who has over 25 years property and development experience said, “We are delighted to finally be able to say work on this site is starting.
“In 2010, it was put on the ‘at risk’ register by Historic England. Bringing this historic building and indeed the grounds back into use is something my team and I are looking forward to achieving.”
