Hollywood Masonic Temple
Why it's listed
Built in 1921 at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard, this two-story concrete and brick building served as the Masonic temple for Hollywood. Its north facade is dominated by a colonnade of six large Ionic columns sheltering a recessed entry reached by eight stone steps. The parapet carries acanthus leaf decoration, and the cornice bears the Masonic motto. Inside, a tiled central hall leads to a main auditorium, and a second floor holds two more auditorium spaces. Carved wood, beamed ceilings, balconies, fireplaces and wrought iron give the interior a Spanish Renaissance feel. Los Angeles architect John C. Austin designed it for a cost of $250,000. Lodge Number 355 formed in 1903, and Pacific Lodge 233, made up largely of theatrical professionals, also met here. Members included a surgeon and historian, an early mayor and a real estate developer. Lodge use ended in 1982, and the building now offers auditorium, rehearsal and community space. Its largely unaltered condition adds to its value on Hollywood Boulevard.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an excellent example of classical architecture on a modest scale that harmonizes with neighboring commercial buildings. It was designed by a major Los Angeles architect and recalls a fraternal organization whose members helped develop Hollywood. Its intact exterior and interior make it an important part of the Hollywood Boulevard streetscape.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85000355, listed February 28, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 6840 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | February 28, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000355 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1921) |
| Architect / builder | John C. Austin (of Austin, Field, and Frey) |
| Architectural style | Neo-classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Lodge activities ended in 1982 when the order sold the building; it continues to provide auditorium, rehearsal and community space. Form also marks work in progress. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Within district | Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District |
| Coordinates | 34.10163, -118.34172 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85000355.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3139424
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.