The Masonic Temple in

Richmond, Virginia Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

is a

Richardsonian Romanesque Richardsonian Romanesque is a architectural style, style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson (1838–1886). The revivalism (architecture), revival style incorporates 11th- and 12th-century ...

style building built during 1888–1893, designed by

Jackson C. Gott Jackson C. Gott (1829–1909) was an American architect. Gott was born in Baltimore County, practiced in and around Baltimore all his life, and was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1889. Work Buildings designed b ...

. The building was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 1983. It is a prominent building in downtown Richmond. Its NRHP nomination asserts that the building is the finest example of

style architecture in the state, and others have asserted that at its time of construction it was "one of the 'most magnificent examples of modern architecture in the South.'" an
''Accompanying photo at Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, undated''
/ref> The design by Gott was one of 17 submitted in a design competition. The building was used for a 1905 function attended by U.S. President

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...

. It was used by the Masons until 1971. In 1982 the Richmond Foundation for the Arts acquired it with intended purpose of its serving as an arts center for the region. At some later date the building housed a catering venue, office building/www.loopnet.com/Listing/16607583/107-West-Broad-Street-Richmond-VA/ loopnet.com listing for the Renaissance Building.
/ref> and apartments.

References

Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Richmond, Virginia Masonic buildings completed in 1893 Former Masonic buildings in Virginia Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Virginia Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Virginia Brick buildings and structures in Virginia 1893 establishments in Virginia {{RichmondCityVA-NRHP-stub

See also

References