Seidler-designed synagogue, Yeshiva College: Building found to have heritage merit

The family of the late Harry Seidler have voiced support for the council’s investigation of a heritage listing for a Bondi synagogue designed by the celebrated architect.

Penelope Seidler left and Harry Triguboff right with the former Yeshiva College in the middle

The family of the late Harry Seidler has voiced support for the proposed heritage listing for a Bondi site, designed by the celebrated architect.

Mr Seidler’s daughter Polly Seidler said she was gratified the heritage assessment of the 1960s-era building had found the building had heritage significance.

The synagogue is recognised as a groundbreaking building for its time and displays Seidler’s distinctive interpretation of the Bauhaus style, as well as historical significance for the development of Jewish religion in NSW because it is the first Talmudical school with integral synagogue.

A planning proposal is with the NSW Government for the 34 Flood St site to be given local heritage listing in the Waverley Local Environment Plan, which would provide protection and recognition of the heritage significance of the building and its interiors.

Polly Seidler said her family would continue to advocate for the preservation of the building.

1962-Talmudical College synagogue entry forecourt. Picture: Harry Seidler. Copyright Penelope Seidler.

1962-Talmudical College synagogue interior with arches. Picture: Max Dupain. Copyright Penelope Seidler.

“The Seidler family hopes that the majesty of large interior space under semicircular barrel vaults will be heritage protected along with the Seidler-designed forecourt with circular stair drum and lobby,” Ms Seidler said.

“It is the only religious building that Harry Seidler ever designed.”

Penelope Seidler (left) with her daughter Polly arrive at the Theatre Royal for a memorial service in honour of her late husband, architect Harry Seidler in Sydney, Thursday, April 6, 2006. Picture: Dean Lewins.

The finding marks another chapter in a month-long saga around the future of the site, owned by billionaire property developer Harry Triguboff.

The matter was brought to the council by the Seidler family, who manage the late architect’s estate, in late 2022, when they urged council to place an interim heritage order on Flood St to protect it from development.

The site comprises the former Yeshiva College, a Hasidic Jewish synagogue and a learning centre – and hosts Our Big Kitchen, a Jewish-run organisation which distributes meals to vulnerable people across Sydney.

The council voted planning and development committee voted unanimously to apply to NSW Heritage for an interim heritage order (IHO) in February. The DPE granted it gateway approval on August 2 to go to public exhibition.

Council’s web page for community feedback states the planning proposal to heritage list the building was “entirely separate to Meriton’s recent planning proposal, which requests to change the zone of 34 Flood Street, Bondi”.

The Triguboff-owned site is proposed to be rezoned from educational uses to medium density residential.

Public exhibition on the heritage proposal will run until September 14.