Caruso Affiliated to purchase former Masonic Temple to renovate into office, retail space

Caruso Affiliated, which owns the Americana at Brand, has entered into an agreement to buy the former Masonic Temple, two adjacent buildings and an adjoining vacant lot on South Brand Boulevard in Glendale.
“We are glad to extend our presence in Glendale through a project that truly offers a prime example of adaptive reuse,” Rick J. Caruso, founder and chief executive of Caruso Affiliated, said in a statement, adding that he plans to turn the property into “creative” office space, making it a mixed-use project with retail and restaurant space.

“This is a local architectural gem,” Caruso said. “The prospect of reinvigorating it, preserving its architectural history while providing the community additional modern office space and several new social hangouts is exciting.”

The property, located on the northeast corner of Brand and East Colorado Street, is across the street from the Americana.

The Masonic Temple and adjacent buildings total roughly 68,000 square feet of space on a 38,000-square-foot piece of land, according to a statement from Caruso, which also stated that the purchase agreement with owner Frank De Pietro and Sons was signed after close to five years of discussions.

The nine-story art deco tower was designed in 1927 by architect Arthur G. Lindley, who also designed the Alex Theatre and, with his partner Charles R. Selkirk, the Hotel Glendale. It was completed in 1928 and housed at least six different Masonic organizations, each with its own meeting and support spaces.

It was also used by classical repertory theater company for nearly two decades, until the end of 2011.

Scott Ochoa, Glendale’s city manager, said he looks forward to seeing the renovation project taking shape.

“With the phenomenal success of the Americana at Brand, I’m confident that Rick Caruso will bring the same vision to this project,” Ochoa said in a statement. “I’m excited to see the Temple return it to its vibrancy, and to become both a business and hospitality asset to the city of Glendale.”