130 West 30th Street, Art Deco residential tower in Chelsea, Manhattan, US
130 West 30th Street is an 18-story residential tower in Chelsea, Manhattan, built in the Assyrian Revival style. Its brick and terracotta facade is covered in ornamental details drawn from ancient Mesopotamian architecture, giving the building a look unlike most of its neighbors.
The building was designed in 1928 by architect Cass Gilbert for fur trader Salomon J. Manne, who ran his business from the site. It was later converted into condominiums and eventually earned the status of a New York City Landmark.
The ground floor is home to Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, a synagogue known for its open and welcoming community. Visitors who attend a service can experience an active religious space tucked inside what is otherwise a residential building.
The building sits between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Chelsea, within easy reach of several subway lines. Since it is a private residential building, the interior is not open to the public, but the facade is fully visible from the sidewalk.
Cass Gilbert, the architect behind this building, is best known for designing the Woolworth Building, one of the most recognized skyscrapers in New York. The choice of Assyrian ornamental motifs for a residential project was highly unusual for the 1920s, even in a city known for architectural experimentation.
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