Manhattan Architecture: The Central Synagogue and The Sony Building
The Central SynagogueLocated at 123 East 55th Street in Manhattan, this unique gem of New York City was built in 1872. It is older than most of the buildings around it. As Manhattan grew up around the Central Synagogue, its true unique architectural beauty set itself in sharp contrast with its surroundings. It is much shorter, however, more concrete, than the surrounding skyscrapers. The entire building resembles a Moorish synagogue crossed with a medieval cathedral. It is the exact opposite of the modern urban jungle behind it. The golden pillars call first attention. The large sphere-topped pillars fill the gap of space opened up through its relation to the urban fabric surrounding them. The pillars extend high in the air, ensuring the more modern buildings around it don't swallow up the space. Th
Despite the contrast of the pillars to the rectangle base, the space looks balanced. e spherical pillar tops are crafted with decorative colors, setting a striking contrast to the gloom of the Manhattan sky rises around it. The high windows on street level make the building look massive on a human scale. Despite being burnt down in the late twentieth century, the interior is reminiscent of the early days of New York. It looks incredibly stable and even formidable in comparison to the urban environment of Manhattan. The circular cut out at the very top of the Sony building sets the towering building in contrast to the more rectangle planes of its neighbors. Despite the variety of the shapes used, the circular top and entrance window are balanced by the straight vertical columns. Up close, the massive brick walls make it appear even more massive. To see it partially blocked by the other rectangular buildings is just as interesting as the view from the very bottom looking up. The outside design incites many visitors to enter inside to observe a lavish and colorful Moorish interior. Despite it looking small compared to the surrounding skyscrapers, the synagogue is enormous on a human scale. One would never believe it was once clad in glass like its neighbors. Onlooker's eyes are focused straight to the top. Tall columns hold up the exterior plane. The building becomes more intriguing as it is viewed from various points.
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