Was Sale Of Historic Uptown Synagogue Legal? Lawsuit Aims To Stop It

UPTOWN — Representatives of the Agudas Achim Synagogue are suing to cancel the sale of the historic building to Cedar Street, according to a report from Crain's Chicago.

In a lawsuit filed in Cook County, Levi Lefkowitz, who signed the sale documents for the building at 5029 N. Kenmore Ave., did not have the authority to because of an appeal pending between his family and the synagogue, Crain's reports.

The "last great synagogue" was sold for $1.25 million to developer Cedar Street back in May to be converted into 40 residential units.

It was built in 1922 with Romanesque Revival, Art Deco and Spanish influences.

The synagogue had been a teardown candidate because extensive water damage, vandalism and years of deferred maintenance.

The building, which cost $400,000 to build in the 1920s, was put up for sale in 2012, according to Uptown Update.

The suit asks the court to declare both the sale and mortgage invalid, according to the Crain's report.

 

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