Masonic Buildings - Camberwell Masonic Centre Sold (late Nov 2014)
Following the sale of the nationally unique Egyptian Revival Masonic Building in Canterbury (see Devotion News Edition 92), the Camberwell Masonic Centre has now been sold. This is another of three buildings designated “surplus to requirements” and which have seen lodges move to the new Centre at Box Hill.
Many people blame Grand Lodge for the loss of these irreplaceable buildings. Others praise the new office block in Box Hill which also contains modern Masonic facilities with a commercial income stream. However, located close to Camberwell Station in a highly desirable location within the City of Boroondara off Burke Road that commands the highest commercial rents within the municipality, with a huge free local carpark (marked in red below, blue was the Masonic Centre), we’ve missed an opportunity for the future, squandered what we inherited and let another piece of irreplaceable land and history go.
Certainly time and experience show the future of these buildings rests in the Freemasons who meet there. If they take no action, such buildings are doomed. At least we can show you what the agent described as one of “Camberwell’s most recognisable landmarks” and another “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” wasted by Freemasons. By us. By you.... and the beautiful Lodge Room we’ve also lost.
What the Real Estate Agents Wrote – “Monumental options in the heart of the Junction”
"One of Camberwell's most recognizable landmarks, the grand Masonic Centre (c1923) presides over the Junction with commanding stature and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in a position of maximum commercial exposure. Surrounded by every lifestyle advantage on the high side of the Station St corner, this centre of hallowed spaces has long been a place of intrigue. Now it's time for these epic proportions to emerge from the past and offer a myriad of unique options for Educational, Communal, Commercial or boutique Office use (STCA). Make your own history within these iconic walls, preserve the heritage beauty and reconfigure the interior making the most of potential city views and the hot-spot location surrounded by city express trains, trams, fashion boutiques, fine restaurants and cafes. Featuring lift, Foyer, majestic Main Hall, 2 Lodge rooms, large Kitchen, ante-chambers, Cloak rooms, bathrooms, cellar plus 10 car approx OSP. Commercial 1 Zoning."
(above - it's the Masonic wine cellar)
(above - stairs up from the Masonic wine cellar)
