Masonic Temple

This grand structure with its classic temple façade doubles as both a World War I memorial to lost Freemasons and a monument to Freemasonry itself. Designed by Lange Powell it was built in 1928-1930 and contains the only dedicated Grand Hall for freemasons in Australia.

The foyer on the ground floor is the Hall of remembrance with a Tuscan column-encircled giant memorial urn to the fallen of World War I.

The hall, on the upper level, is the piece de resistance and well worth a look if in the area. A stunning vaulted gold leaf trimmed ceiling oversees a magnificent pipe organ, one of the state’s largest, and the original carved wooden seating made from Queensland timbers.

The clock, which was originally used in the Alice St Temple until 1930, was made in the 1890s, with the casing carved from a single branch of a silky oak tree.

The staircase leading between floors is a rainbow of marble, with a particularly fetching mosaic as a landing feature.

Need to know - The general public can view the Masonic Temple for free during the annual Brisbane Open House week.