Historic Commission OKs Royal Arch Masonic Lodge Tower Top — Kind Of

The Austin Historic Landmark Commission narrowly approved a certificate of appropriateness, which would add a 30-to-40 story tower atop the Royal Arch Masonic Lodge. Stone Development Group, which is restoring the building at 311 W. 7th St., hoped for approval, with some commissioners worrying that the proposed design’s height and scale would be too tall for its surroundings.

To that end, the Austin developer and architects Rhode: Partners and Clayton & Little, are being asked to return to the commission with additional design refinements. The lodge was built in 1926, and designated a historic landmark in 2000.

The developer hasn’t indicated the purpose of the building, but applications indicate that, in addition to adding a tower, it will repair and restore the existing building.

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