Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a historic Russian Orthodox cathedral at 228 North 12th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Built between 1916 and 1921 in a Russian Byzantine style, it is one of the most visually distinctive church buildings in New York, with five copper domes and a silhouette that stands out clearly in the surrounding streetscape. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1969 and later added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The cathedral appears in Seinfeld (1989–1998), House on Carroll Street (1988), and Elementary (2012–2019). It is best known on screen as the church used in Seinfeld, where it stands in for the Latvian Orthodox church visited by George Costanza during his attempted conversion. The cathedral’s own history also notes its appearance in House on Carroll Street, and IMDb lists it as a location in the Elementary episode “Whatever Remains, However Improbable.”
In Seinfeld (1989–1998), the cathedral appears in the episode “The Conversion” (1993). It is used for the exterior of the Latvian Orthodox church where George converts to Latvian Orthodoxy in order to continue seeing a woman he is dating. The building is seen when George visits the church as part of that storyline. Also Sister Roberta wants to leave the order because Kramer got the Kavorka.
In House on Carroll Street (1988), the cathedral is one of the real Brooklyn locations used in the film. Its distinctive domes and historic exterior fit naturally into the film’s period New York setting.
In Elementary (2012–2019), the cathedral appears in the episode “Whatever Remains, However Improbable.” The building is used as a church location in the series’ contemporary New York setting.
Seinfeld (1989–1998)
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is inseparable from New York in tone, most of the series was filmed in Los Angeles. The series used real New York locations for key establishing shots.
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl appears in Dexter: Resurrection, where the venue is used during the New York storyline involving Dexter Morgan and Mia LaPierre.
Williamsburg Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge have appeared in several New York films, including The Naked City, Serpico, The French Connection and Once Upon a Time in America.
Parkside Lounge
Parkside Lounge, a long-running dive bar and live music venue on Manhattan, has appeared in Flight of the Conchords (2007–2009) and Bored to Death (2009–2011).
Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Delicatessen appears in When Harry Met Sally… , Donnie Brasco, Across the Universe, We Own the Night, and The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015–2016).
Bo Hai Dumpling Town
Bo Hai Dumpling Town appears in Mr. Robot (2015–2019), where the building at 217 East Broadway is used as Elliot Alderson’s apartment building.
McSorley’s Old Ale House
McSorley’s Old Ale House has appeared in Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Hard Way (1991), Rounders (1998), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Dash & Lily.
Pete’s Tavern
Pete’s Tavern appears in Two for the Seesaw (1962), Seinfeld (1989–1998), Rounders (1998), Sex and the City (1998–2004), and several other productions.
Tacombi Nolita
Tacombi Nolita appears in The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015–2016). It is in Season 2, Episode 3, “Ugly,” and places the scene at 267 Elizabeth Street.
Ralph Bunche Park
Ralph Bunche Park, a small public park in Midtown Manhattan, has appeared in Ciao! Manhattan (1972), A Perfect Murder (1998) and U.S. Marshals (1998).