Masonic Temple, Berkeley
historic place
The Masonic Temple in Berkeley, California, is recognized as a Historic Place within Alameda County. Located in Downtown Berkeley at 2105 Bancroft Way, it stands near the University of California, Berkeley. This Classical Revival style building was designed by architect William H. Wharff. Construction was completed in 1905. The temple was originally built to serve Berkeley's Masons, who had established a local lodge in 1882. It is notable as one of Berkeley's earliest multi-storied brick structures. The building helped replace the city's early wooden business district. It is the only surviving example of Wharff's contributions from that period that remains largely unaltered. The Masonic Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 1982. In 1944, the building was repurposed as a bank. Later, it housed various University of California-related tenants. Today, parts of the building are occupied by a yoga studio and the Haas School of Business. The Masonic Temple is historically significant for its architectural style and its role in Berkeley's early 20th-century development.