Masonic Temple (Providence)

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The Masonic Temple is one of two monumental buildings in central Providence that have remained unfinished and abandoned for decades. Originally planed as a Freemason temple, construction work was abandoned in 1929 as a result of financial difficultes caused by the Great Depression and WW II.

The buildings, constructed in the Greek Revival style, are located prominently on Francis Street opposite the Rhode Island state capitol, Rhode Island State House. The opening of the Providence Place Mall next door across Hayes Street has made the site prime real estate.

The adjoining building known as the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, located between the Mason Building and Interstate 95, was taken over by the city in the 1980s and reinhabited. It now houses the VMA Arts & Cultural Center.

Before the building was sealed and internally demolished it served as a haven for Rhode Island's graffiti writers.

[edit] Redevelopment

As of 2006, the Masonic Temple is being developed by Sage Hospitality Resources as a luxury hotel.

[edit] References

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