Building of the Day: 317 Clermont Avenue
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy. Address: 317 Clermont Avenue, corner of Lafayette Ave. Name: Brooklyn Masonic Temple Neighborhood: Fort Greene (Fort Greene Historic District)…
The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.
Address: 317 Clermont Avenue, corner of Lafayette Ave.
Name: Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Neighborhood: Fort Greene (Fort Greene Historic District)
Year Built: 1906
Architectural Style: Neo-Classical
Architects: Lord & Hewlett and Pell &Corbett
Landmarked: Yes
Thirty-five lodges joined in the building of this magnificent Masonic Temple. The size and design alone would have been impressive, especially in this location, but what makes this building a masterpiece is the use of polychrome glazed terra-cotta.
The colors rise to the roof, with green, yellow, blue, sienna and cream in a joyous profusion of ornamental detail. This is one of the earliest and best polychrome terra-cotta buildings in New York City.
The interior boasts a 1000 seat, 4 story auditorium on the ground floor, 3 story lodge rooms above, and a double height room above that. One of the architects, James Monroe Hewlett, was also responsible for the drawings that became the Sky Ceiling Fresco in Grand Central Terminal.
[Photos by Suzanne Spellen]
There used to be stained glass globes depicting the world at the Clermont St. entrance. They were vandalized then removed I think in the late 70s. I’d love to know where they ended up – it was the days when copper roofing and drain pipes were being stolen all over the neighborhood, and I always figured the globes were swiped by a junkie with an eye for quality.
Thanks so much Mon’rose!
I like the building but the sad replacement windows depress me when I look closely at the building on strolls.
You didn’t mention that the building served as the early winter flea market setting last year before Christmas.
Ever been to Felix Hernandez’s classic soul dances in this building? very impressive use of that ballroom…. place needs lots of work, but now that Masons renting it out, maybe it will get it….
I am in awe of this building as well. Thanks for featuring it, it deserves to be on your honor roll.