Former East London Synagogue

The former East London Synagogue, dating from 1876 to 1777, was designed by H D Davis and E Emanuel. It is constructed of brown brick with a gabled roof. The exterior displays a simplified Byzantine/Romanesque style, featuring a two-storey, four-bay main elevation. The upper tier is characterised by groups of arched windows within semi-circular relieving arches. A gabled cornice sits above a recessed, round-arched entrance, which is framed by columned jambs with foliate capitals. A brick band defines the eaves.

The interior is galleried and contains semi-circular arches supported by very tall cast-iron piers. The arches, walls, and spandrels over the arcade arches are constructed of polychrome brickwork, complemented by polychrome tilework. A flat timber ceiling finishes the space. A rose window is situated above a pedimented tabernacle of multi-coloured inlaid marble.

The synagogue is valued for its architectural and historical significance as a particularly rich and unusual example of a Victorian synagogue, notable for the contrast between its richly detailed interior and its simple exterior.