*** Welcome to piglix ***

Old Synagogue (Auckland)


The Old Synagogue is a 19th-century building at 19A Princes Street in central Auckland, New Zealand, that was formerly a synagogue. It is now called University House, and is part of the University of Auckland.

A Jewish community had been present in Auckland since its founding in 1840. The synagogue building, which blends Moorish and classical elements, was designed and built by Edward Bartley in 1884–1885, and the synagogue opened on 9 November 1885. The foundation stone was laid by early Jewish settler and founder of the L.D. Nathan chain of stores, David Nathan.

In 1967 the congregation moved to larger premises on Greys Avenue, overlooking Myers Park.

The old synagogue building was left vacant and deteriorated over the following years, until it was carefully restored in 1989 to serve as a branch of the National Bank. The University of Auckland has leased it since 2003, and it now houses the University's External Relations offices.

The building has a Category I listing with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Coordinates: 36°50′56″S 174°46′09″E / 36.848773°S 174.769244°E / -36.848773; 174.769244


...
Wikipedia

...