Item 1
LP – 2529
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
BIALYSTOKER HOME, 228-230 East Broadway
HDC wholeheartedly supports the proposed landmarking of the Bialystoker Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing at 228 East Broadway. The building has long been a favorite of preservationists and neighbors, but its future has been precarious since the closing of the institution.
Originally called the Bialystoker Home for the Aged, the center was founded by a group landsmanshaftn, benevolent societies, formed by Jewish immigrants from the Polish city of Bialystok. The Bialystok Landsleit also had its headquarters in the building where money was raised to help the Jewish community still in Bialystok during the interwar years, new immigrants networked, jobs were found, a synagogue was established, and ties from the Old Country and the New World were maintained.
In addition to its cultural merit, the building is a rare and impressive piece of art-deco architecture on the Lower East Side. Designed by Henry Hurwit and constructed between 1929 and 1931, the ten-story structure with setbacks is most noted for its carved stone ornament including medallions representing each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Moorish flair, which also speaks to Israelite roots, distinguished the building from Christian-based institutional structures. The Bialystoker Center’s architecture is a solid reminder of the storied Jewish community and way of life here on the Lower East Side.
HDC hopes that this solid reminder may be made permanent through landmark designation. We thank the commission for responding to local advocates’ requests for calendaring and look forward to a positive vote soon.