The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, established in 1886, is regarded as the premier center for the academic study of Judaism in North America. Its Harlem campus at Broadway and 123rd Street houses List College, the Graduate School, the Rabbinical School, and the Cantors Institute. Graciano Corporation was engaged to perform a comprehensive exterior masonry restoration program on the campus buildings, addressing decades of weathering to the brick facades, stone elements, and structural steel components.
The scope required careful attention to the Seminary's historic character, with material selection and restoration methods chosen to match and complement the original construction. Work was coordinated closely with the architect and the owner's representative throughout.
Scope of Work
Services Performed
- Exterior brick repair and individual brick replacement
- Brick facade rebuild
- Masonry repointing
- Water, pressure, chemical, and masonry cleaning
- Stonework and stone patching
- Unit stone and lintel replacement
- Dutchman repair
- Structural steel repair and replacement
Brick and Masonry Restoration
The Seminary's exterior brick walls showed deterioration typical of early-twentieth-century urban masonry -- failed mortar joints, spalled brick faces, and areas of moisture infiltration. Graciano's crews performed selective brick replacement and extensive repointing, raking out failed mortar and replacing it with a mix matched to the existing joints in color and composition. Where brick faces had spalled or been damaged, individual units were replaced in kind to preserve the uniformity of the facades.
Stonework and Lintel Replacement
Stone elements on the campus buildings -- sills, lintels, trim pieces, and decorative stonework -- were assessed for condition. Deteriorated stone was repaired using the Dutchman method where sufficient sound material remained, or replaced entirely with units matched to the original. Lintel replacements were coordinated with structural steel repair work to address the underlying cause of cracking and movement in the masonry above.
Cleaning
Prior to restoration, exterior surfaces were cleaned to remove biological growth, atmospheric soiling, and prior paint or coating applications. The cleaning program combined water washing, pressure washing, chemical treatments, and masonry-specific cleaning products selected for compatibility with the building's brick and stone, minimizing the risk of surface damage or staining.
About Graciano Corporation
Founded in 1916, Graciano Corporation is one of the oldest and most experienced masonry and concrete restoration firms in the United States. With offices in Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, and Florida, Graciano performs approximately 90% of all work in-house with its own skilled journeymen. The company is a WBENC-certified Woman Business Enterprise with deep experience restoring New York City's historic institutional, civic, and religious landmarks.