Two “urban exploration” web sites have posted numerous stunning — and haunting — new photographs of the abandoned, art deco Greenbank Drive synagogue in Liverpool.
The photos, taken in February 2014, are on the web sites “Behind Closed Doors” and “Proj3ct m4yh3m.”
The photos on both sites detail the interior of the synagogue, which has been abandoned since 2008, showing the sanctuary and other rooms and spaces — and focusing on both the architecture and the deteriorating state of the building — broken wooden flooring; leaking celings; crumbling walls and ceiling, etc.
The pictures also detail objects and documents — from prayerbooks to a wheel chair to liquor to an organ — still left in place.
As we noted in an earlier post a year ago — the red-brick, art deco synagogue was designed by the noted Liverpool architect Sir Ernest Alfred Shennan and built in 1936/37. It served its congregation until January 2008, when dwindling numbers forced the community to move and close the building. A 2008 proposal to turn it into apartments was blocked — thanks to the efforts of the 20th Century Society, which got the building upgraded to Grade II heritage status — and the building has stood empty since then.
In March 2013, it was reported that the synagogue was to receive £70,000 in rescue funding from English Heritage and the Liverpool city council the building, which has been on the “English Heritage at Risk” list since 2010, can be refurbished and its long-tern future assured. Jewish Heritage UK estimates that repairs would still require a further £1 million.
It is not clear from the new photos on the urban exploration web site if any conservation or other work has been done since then.
Click here to see Proj3ct M4yh3m pictures part 1
Proj3ct M4yh3m pictures part 2
Click here to see the Behind Closed Doors photos
2 comments on “Abandoned Greenbank Drive synagogue in Liverpool — detailed new pictures”
We visited this site recently and was surprised at how well preserved it had been kept. There was evidence of youths having been in the building but they seemed to reserve there activities to only one room in the place with the rest showing little or any sign of vandalism. I have to admit to this being one of my all time favourite buildings we’ve documented not only for the architecture but the serenity that the place offers. Such a calm ambience about it that I’ve not felt before.
This Synagogue is such a beautiful building, hopefully the restoration works will continue to progress. I understand that scaffolding has been recently installed and that contractors are completing urgent repairs to the roof. I am also informed that the scrolls and some of the other contents have been moved to a safer environment.
All the best
PM