We’ve been saying for several months the end of 225 East Broadway was near. The demolition has been taking place since the beginning of January. But, as this photo taken a few minutes ago shows, there’s rubble and not much else where the Young Israel Synagogue once stood. We’ve been keeping track of the building’s final days. Constructed in 1837, there’s no doubt 225 East Broadway is an important part of Lower East Side history. Click through to see more photos.
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Young Israel sold the building to a developer, who planned a large apartment complex (with room for the Coingregation on the lower floors). Then the economy collapsed. Now we wait to see what will become of another empty lot in the neighborhood.
Good lord. I can’t tell if I’d rather have a giant highrise take its place, like The Ludlow or the SVA dorm, or if I’d rather it just sit empty for 5 years the way the site of the First Roumanian American synagogue has, on Rivington. In any case, I can’t say I’ve been thrilled with the direction LES development has been taking since I moved here.