Live in a Swanky Former East Village Synagogue for $30K a Month

Just in time for Passover, this historic East Village synagogue turned residence has reappeared on the rental market. Known as the 8th Street Shul, there was a long battle to keep the building preserved as a synagogue after it was damaged by a fire in 1982. Ultimately, the building, at 317 East 8th Street, was turned over to real estate interests and converted into a single-family luxury home. It’s been on the rental market before, asking $25,000 a month, and now it’s back at a higher price.

The conversion was done in 2005 by the designers behind the Ian Schrager Hotels. It’s configured as a lofty four-story townhouse with three bedrooms and three outdoor terraces. And although it’s been more or less decked out with luxurious finishes, the custom-made windows — which include the Star of David — are exact replicas from when the building was a synagogue.

The living room, with its 22-foot ceilings and walls of exposed brick and wood, was designed for worshiping artwork. The cantilever balcony even has “a built-in projector for showcasing art,” according to the listing.

The living room leads back to a kitchen with a 20-foot island, floor-to-ceiling custom-built cabinets and a wine cooler. Beyond the kitchen is the formal dining room. Here, a restored 19th century backlit Star of David sits along the dining terrace beyond the glass and steel windows.

The third story holds a library with floor-to-ceiling wood bookshelves, an Italian marble fireplace and a wet bar. There are also two guest bedrooms with built-in stereo speakers on this floor.

One floor up, a floor-to-ceiling glass hallway leads to the master bedroom with its own fireplace, walk-in closet, and master bathroom, which is completely decked out with a Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower and rain shower.

The home is teeming with outdoor space, which is separated from the apartment by floor-to-ceiling glass. The terrace off the master suite has a hot tub that fits eight. Or you could take a glass staircase up (so much glass!) to the top floor lounge/media room/terrace. The roof terrace has its own planters, copper rainspouts, a custom sound system and security cameras. Like all the furniture in this chic pad? Good, because it’s only being offered as a two-month furnished rental for those interested in living inside a house of worship gone luxe.

[Listing: 317 East 8th Street by Vladimir Luzader for Town Residential]

RELATED:

• This Lofty East Village Penthouse by Manifold Architecture Studio Used to Be a Synagogue
• East Village’s Historic Mezritch Synagogue Gets Ready for Restoration and Condo Conversion
• Living on Hallowed Ground: NYC Religious Buildings Being Converted to Luxury Housing

Photos courtesy of Town Residential