Wednesday, September 12, 2007

MASONIC TEMPLE SOLD??


The For Sale sign is down....
I have long admired this abandoned Masonic Temple building. The building is ideally situated on High Street just north of Fifth Avenue. The bones of this structure appear to be in good shape and the stained glass, awning, and ornamentation are also all in tact.
I have hoped a local business developer would see this building's potential and convert this temple into a boutique hotel/bar/restaurant/lounge similar to what the McMenamin family does in Portland, Oregon. For those not familiar with McMenamins, they rescue architecturally/ historically significant buildings, rehabilitate them, and turn them into hot spot destinations. This family makes a killing saving unique old buildings that have been neglected in favor of new construction. Check out their website....http://www.mcmenamins.com/.
Fingers crossed that this isn't the new home of Buffalo Wild Wings Short North.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the children's theatre was looking at it... but that was last year.

Anonymous said...

wow, that would have made a great Children's Theatre. Sigh. I hope the condos are amazing

Unknown said...

This place was absolutely beautiful when it was a Masonic Temple. Dark wood and stained glass, high ceilings, and a beautiful game room.

Unfortunately, there was no way to put in an elevator for the aging membership, and the neighborhood is still a bit sketchy (the parking lot always had a locked fence around it).

It was never abandoned, but York Lodge put it on the market and all the bodies went to other facilities in the area. I really wanted to have my wedding in York Temple in 2004, but the building had already been sold to a turnaround group.

I truly hope the space becomes something that keeps the beauty and history alive.