In The Media
VOCM News
Follow along as we restore & reimagine The Masonic
About Us
Whadda y’at?
Plans are underway as we recreate The Masonic during a multi-year renovation project. Follow along as we transform the iconic heritage building in the heart of St. John’s, NL into an inclusive & elegant venue and cultural hub that will celebrate the province’s rich – and sometimes untold – history and culture through art, community, and local fare.
Project Timeline
Spring 2022
Morgan & Duncan MacRae purchase the Masonic Temple from Spirit of Newfoundland.
Summer 2022
Local St. John’s architect and designer engaged.
Morgan & Duncan introduce themselves as new owners through local media.
Consultative and planning work begins.
Fall 2022
Morgan & Duncan host meet & greet event at The Masonic to introduce themselves and their plan for the building, its use and community involvement.
Consultative and planning work ongoing.
Jan-Mar 2023
Building is covered with scaffolding and tarp for weather protection.
Spirit of Newfoundland announce their new location.
Consultative and planning work ongoing.
Pipe organ is moved to new home at Trinity Hall in Winterton, NL.
Apr-Jun 2023
Spirit of Newfoundland perform their last show at The Masonic and move to new location at Gower Street United Church.
Consultative, planning and permitting work ongoing.
The Masonic is closed to the public until restoration and renovation work is complete.
Jul-Sep 2023
Successful bidder selected for phase 1 demolition (Lindsay Construction).
Phase 1 demolition work begins (a 3-month process that includes careful removal, packaging and offsite storage of many historically significant building features & artifacts for re-use in the renovation).
Structural assessment work and remediation planning ongoing.
Oct-Dec 2023
Phase 1 demolition concludes including the safe removal, packaging and offsite storage of many historically significant building features & artifacts.
Delving deeper into structural analysis to determine project budget and feasibility.
The Masonic Project hosts community collaborative design event “Where to from Here: A conversation about the future of arts and culture” (Nov. 15-17).
Check back soon for more updates
Journal
What’s after happenin’ now?
Everything you need to know – news, updates, and stories of the past and present – as we bring The Masonic to life
In The Media
where to from here
Restoring the Masonic: What’s on the go
project update
In The Media
the Telegram
History
who knit ya?
Constructed in 1896 by the Freemasons, the Masonic is an iconic building overlooking downtown St. John’s, NL. What began as a meeting place for the Freemasons, evolved over time to be known as a place for the arts and community connections.
