By COLlive reporter
Early architectural plans have revealed an initiative to jumpstart the long-awaited remodeling of Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY.
A rough draft of the plan, leaked to COLlive.com on Wednesday, was created by S. Wieder Architect, a firm based in Brooklyn led by Samuel Wieder with Yeshaya Shor as project lead.
Wieder has steered over a hundred projects to success in the New York City metropolitan area in just three short years, his website says. “In every project, Samuel strives to maximize client return on investment with his extensive knowledge of NYC Zoning and Building Code while maintaining clean, efficient and beautiful design.”
The plans show the iconic red-brick 3-pointed roof building surrounded by a cluster of tall buildings that would continue to house the bustling main shul of 770, as well as the many offices of Lubavitch Headquarters.
Wieder confirmed the plans were created by him but did not want to elaborate on the project at this time.
One of the lead people behind the project asked not to be named at this point.
“This is a very initial draft that is far from complete,” he told COLlive.com in a phone conversation. “Once we have a better draft we plan on reaching out to all parties involved in 770 to move this forward.”
He said that he had an initial consultation with Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, which along with Agudas Chassidei Chabad, holds the legal deed to 770. He was also in touch with the gabboim of Cong. Lubavitch Inc.
A source in Rabbi Krinsky’s office confirmed to COLlive.com that a conversation took place but specified that Rabbi Krinsky has neither seen this early draft nor endorsed it.
A second person involved in the project, who also asked not to be named, said: “This isn’t a big secret. It’s been going on for a year already. We just want to make it right before getting people involved.”
He said that it is going to be a very costly project, but he believes that “everyone will participate, including many big Shluchim,” he noted.
“We invite all comments and suggestions on the initial draft, to create a beautiful 770 that will bring kovod to Lubavitch and pride to the Rebbe,” he said.
VIDEO:
Excellent design with modern flanking 770.
770 is 770 and should forever remain to be 770 as WE know it. please dont’!
You don’t zog
You want 770 to remain as it is because you are sentimental, but what about what the Rebbe wants ?? which clearly and publicly was to demolish and rebuild 770 similar to this idea
What do you think the Rebbe went out to put the Even Hapina for?
To rebuild the shul
Not to rebuild, but to extend
The Rebbe wanted very much that 770 be expanded etc. Thats what the groundbreaking in 5748 was for, but unfortunately real expansions didn’t end up happening.
Besides for the comments mentioning the הנחת אבן הפינה in תשמ״ח, another not so well known fact is the reason the Rebbe was מגיה the קונטרס בית רבינו שבבבל was actually as a “fundraiser” (if you can call it that…).
it’s amazing how a chossid feel much connected to 770 and doesn’t want it to change, but the Rebbe asked MANY MANY times for 770 to be expanded
Wow this is absolutely amazing!!!
Looks awesome.
when are they planning to start building and when will it be done?
you think they would do that!
But please make sure that all follows the Rebbe’s instructions.
I haven’t seen the Rebbe’s instructions, but aesthetically, I hope that the design blends nicely with the surrounding architecture.
Surrounding architecture lol..the dilapidated buildings..
Do they have plans for a Mikveh?
there was a answer from the rebbe not to build a mikvah in 770
Where is the money gonna come from?
My parents donated money MANY years ago to the rebuilding of 770. their name is behind the men’s jackets in 770. tho not yet been used to rebuild.
There’s a big pot of cash waiting to be used 🙂
THIS IS VERY EXCITING! May this bring the Rebbe much chassidish and yidishe nachas! SHNAS PAIY ALEF!!
every few years someone makes another plan for remodeling 770 but it never actually goes anywhere.
Hopefully this time there will actually be sholom and these plans should actually go somewhere and they will actually expand and rebuild 770 like the rebbe wanted.
The community has grown by leaps and bounds, and when that would happen the
Rebbe expands 770.
Looking forward to seeing the new building!!!
we need a giant hotel
Lahak put out a booklet a few weeks ago (23 elul, nitzavim vayeilech 5780) with a sicha of shabbos nitzavim vayeilech 5733 where the Rebbe speaks about the need for hotels to be made in crown heights.
there are so many baalei tshuva and people who don’t have family in crown heights who would love to come to crown heights but can’t.
This came up in the late Mem’s, late 80s. The Rebbe was involved, and gave many written instructions, which are printed, in his own handwriting. THESE PLANS DO NOT CONFORM TO THEM R”L Imagine rebuilding 770 contrary to the Rebbe’s written instructions – what’s it worth? The Rebbe wrote it must be lower than the original 770 – is that what you see that in these plans? The Rebbe wrote that it must be less a million dollars, “vcol hamimaet bze harei ze meshuboch” – yes, that’s what he wrote. And they scaled back the plans and listened. You don’t… Read more »
Calculate for inflation, and the amount to spend is $3,154,344.66
Those directives where given for that time. That was then. This is now. Example, these days under a million doesn’t even buy a garage. The old aron hakodesh did not look like the current one. The old mizrach wall was not white. Things change. Times change. Directives apply only for in the time they were given.
B”H
Handicapped accessible inside ladies section and bathrooms.
^
great idea but the desighn looks a bit like a mall but otherwise this is a amazing project!
the rebbbe wanted to expand 770 so his is the rebbes ratzon!
just think what the Rebbe would say we have to keep it is just like the Beis Hamikdash imagine we wanted to redesign it please keep 770 as it is!!!!
I think the Rebbe would want it to look nicer then it is now anything.
Please maintain the areas where the Rebbe davened and farbrenged as similar to what they always looked like. Our memories are from those spots are very important. If they are modified, it will ruin much of our memories and 770 will feel like just another building.
The bais Hamikdosh was also redesigned at one point by a a wealthy king.
This is genuine and beautiful I hope it happens soon!
Finally!
At long last!!
Looks out of place and not matching the other buildings
It’s beautiful but totally looks out of place. Maybe beautiful new brick or something would be better
Beautiful… but not sure if all the money should be spent on that instead of helping educational institutions for example or families in need… expanding yes but luxury not sure
didnt the beis hamikdash have so much gold? this isnt just any shul
Why do we have a got designing this ? There are special designers for shuls . They built the big belz shul in Yerushalayim etc . This looks like a modern abstract design . Not like a shul and not like the grand shul if Lubavitch
The Rebbe spoke many times of his desire to expand 770 but it never eventuated… The Rebbe was also very specific about how how 770 should and should not be renovated… For example the Rebbe did not want any of the supporting pillars from the main shul to be removed… I hope the architects respect this and good luck with the project!!
Rebbes 770 it’s an historical site, pls keep it like , do Restorations but not renovations, but remodel with a good ventilation system, new bathrooms, etc and renew but keep all the same look, whatever is done there in some stairwell is reduced the olden look … it’s old Brooklyn – make it look like new old but not new cold cement ….770 is a brick 🧱 nothing else pls
Most of us would agree 770 needs to be expanded, but they must find a way to build new edifices around 770 that will make it VERY clear that 770 is THE focal point of this project, The present draft shows 770 as barely there – literally and figuratively dwarfed by these modern metal and glass giants. Perhaps the answer is to preserve the Old (preferably Tudor) style of the architecture. To my eye, if the gable on the would be corner building is attempting to do that it’s missing its mark. These buildings should come across as children of… Read more »
The rebbe checked every detail of the blueprints so don’t come up with your own plan which could be against the the rebbes will they should take the old blueprints and finally actualize it and be מקיים what the rebbe wanted! May it be soon!
What’s with the “what the rebbe wants” or “would want”??? No one know what the rebbe “would want” right now. No one is qualified to speak for the rebbe. And what he said or wrote 40 years ago, was 40 years ago. What I and you do today is what we decide to do based, at best, on what our understanding is of any given situation as perhaps influenced by our learning from those we wish to emulate. We’re to own that responsibility, not deflect it by dumping it on the rebbe’s name, thereby dishonoring the rebbe. When the rebbe… Read more »
100% RIGHT. AHAVAS YISROEL IS MOST IMPORTANT AND WILL BE THE FACTOR THAT BRINGS MOSHIACH NOW.
BUT THE FACT THAT THE REBBE SAID TO RENOVATE 770 40 YEARS AGO – HE KNEW AND SAW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN TODAY IN OUR DAY AND AGE (40 YEARS LATER). THE TORAH, HASHEM AND THE REBBE ARE EMES AND EMES NEVER CHANGES. WHAT WAS TRUE YESTERDAY IS TRUE TODAY AND WILL BE TRUE TOMORROW AND FOREVER.
I AM SURE THAT THE REBBE’S BLUEPRINT ARE APPLICABLE TODAY AS WELL. THERE IS NO BETTER BLUEPRINTS THAN WHAT THE REBBE SAID, TO DO.
Speaking about ahavas yisroel doesn’t legitimize waiving the directives of the Rebbe, which, in the end, are for our good. We can and should expand, renovate and beautify. But if it’s a brand new shul you want, there are plenty of properties for sale to build another shul that is not 770. Happy new year.
Much effort was expended to build the Library extension with the same In-Out bricks as 770.
This would be a great idea if the millions of dollars cn be raised. 788 in my opinion is an eyesore and I believe the Rebbe envisioned its replacement as part of the project back when he laid the cornerstone. Of course the Rebbe also envisioned Crown Heights as a model neighborhood and I don’t know if we are doing so well with that. When will the Rebbe’s chassidim follow his wishes?
https://www.change.org/p/chassidim-770-expansion
Their were plans a while ago to do something similar to this and they gave the plans into the rebbe however the issue was the price it was above 1 million dollars so the Rebbe said to cancel the plans becuaseחסה התורה על ממונם שלישראל – the Torah worries about Jewish peoples money
About time, hope a great expansion materializes. I’m no scholar but the 12 steps leading up may be a concern, check with your lor. (Definitely fits with ploas arena)
I did the same for Bais Rivka….the race is on!
P.S ask a lor about the 12 steps leading up
Please make a women’s beis medrash/library/ Fabrengen room
Where’s the Kiddush Club
It looks good I would just make sure to add wheelchair accessible ramps to enter the building
Who designed it? With what kavanna? I see elsewhere the arcitect’s propoaal for an underground mikveh in C.H. Weird. The arthcitects other buildings seem to be cold concrete designs. I do not like the 770 design. Truthfully, does anyone really like it?