Masonic Temple, Berkeley

The Masonic Temple in Downtown Berkeley is a landmark of historical and architectural significance. Located on Bancroft Way, at the corner of Shattuck Avenue, it stands just a block west of the University of California, Berkeley. Designed in 1905 by William H. Wharff, a prominent architect who helped define Berkeley鈥檚 early brick classical downtown style, the building is one of the earliest multi-storied brick structures that replaced the city鈥檚 pioneer wooden business district in the early 20th century. Remarkably, it remains largely unaltered and is the only surviving example of Wharff's contributions to the era.

Originally constructed for Berkeley's Masons, who established a local lodge in 1882, the temple served as their headquarters for decades. The Berkeley Masonic Temple Association was formed specifically to bring this project to life. In 1944, the building was repurposed as a bank, and in subsequent years, its floors hosted various University of California-related tenants, including the California Center for Innovative Transportation and the National Writing Project.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 15, 1982, the building underwent a full renovation in 2019, which modernized its facilities while retaining its historic charm. As of 2023, the ground floor is partially occupied by a yoga studio, while the second floor houses the Haas School of Business. The third and fourth floors were occupied by Grabango, a local tech startup specializing in frictionless checkout technology, until March 2024.

The Masonic Temple is a testament to Berkeley's architectural evolution and its commitment to preserving its historical roots amidst modern developments.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Masonic Temple
Sight Location: Berkeley, USA (See walking tours in Berkeley)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Berkeley's Historic Landmarks Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Berkeley, California

Create Your Own Walk in Berkeley

Creating your own self-guided walk in Berkeley is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

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