Albany Manor Reopens as Event Hall for Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter

Albany Manor, a cherished site in the early Lubavitch presence in Crown Heights, has reopened its doors as a small events and simcha hall, serving the local community with a special spot with historical significance.

The building located at 585 Albany Avenue, on the corner of Rutland Street, holds a special place in Chabad history. In the mid-1950s, when the small shul (zal) of 770 Eastern Parkway could no longer accommodate the growing crowds attending the Rebbe‘s farbrengens, Albany Manor became one of the venues for these gatherings.

Between 1954 and 1956, the Rebbe led five farbrengens in the hall. One of them was Purim Tof Shin Chai (5718 / 1958), when the Rebbe drank Mashkeh Ad D’lo Yoda and is recorded as the longest farbrengen (over 9 hours!). It ended at 5:30 AM. The hall also hosted numerous Lubavitcher weddings.

In recent years, the 10,000-square-foot property was acquired by Rabbi Dovid Fischer, a real estate developer and donor. He tore down the building with a vision to revitalize the space and create housing for Jewish families. There are 19 units, and 5 are already occupied.

The corner of the building has a branch of Shimmy’s Corner-Koshertown grocery store serving the East Flatbush and Remsen areas.

As part of the redevelopment, Rabbi Fischer rebuilt the hall as a venue for simchas, small weddings, farbrengens and events. “I’m proud that a place the Rebbe farbrenged is now in Lubavitch hands,” he told COLlive.com.

The newly reopened Albany Manor features modern amenities, including a spacious kitchen, separate entrances for men and women, and a sizable hallway for events. The hall can accommodate up to 250 people.

Rabbi Fischer said that the platform where the Rebbe sat during those historic farbrengens was rebuilt in the exact spot, further connecting the space to its historical roots. A large screen at the entrance shows footage of the Rebbe’s farbrengens.

“For chassidim, it is a geula,” he stated.

For bookings or inquiries about Albany Manor, call 718-773-6600.

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