Uptown Chicago’s historic Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation synagogue reopened this month as The Synagogue Residence, a 40-unit community in the FLATS brand by CEDARst Companies.
The Synagogue Residence preserves many of the original building’s architectural features, including the Romanesque-revival exterior, original foyer, internal grand staircase. The new design incorporates formerly-concealed stonework and decorative brick discovered during the construction process.
Unit types include eight studios, 24 standard one-bedroom apartments, and eight one-bedroom/mezzanine duplex lofts with vaulted ceilings from the former sanctuary space. Resident amenities include secure bike storage on-site, as well as access to rooftop lounges, decks, gyms, boxing rings, and backyards located at other FLATS properties across Chicago.
Before its acquisition in 2016, the synagogue was described as one of the city’s most endangered buildings by Preservation Chicago, a nonprofit architectural preservation group. “Outreach to the development community resulted in several proposals which would have completely demolished the building. We were thrilled when CEDARst stepped in to restore this art deco treasure,” says Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago.
Several of the synagogue’s features, including a jeweled-mosaic Ark case and pieces of art-glass windows restored by Preservation Chicago, have been or will be donated to synagogues in the area.
“We couldn’t bear to lose this treasure and we took its rescue very seriously. We’ve worked closely with Preservation Chicago not only to maintain the building’s historic integrity, but also to find good homes for many of the building’s important precious relics and artifacts,” says Alex Samoylovich, CEDARst co-founder and managing partner. “…We see ourselves as an integral part of the neighborhoods we serve. We are committed to protecting iconic Chicago structures and championing the health and vitality of Chicago neighborhoods.”
