SA/NT Freemasons back North Tce tower, re-elect Grand Master

The Freemasons have backed plans to build a skyscraper behind their spiritual home on North Tce and re-elected their Grand Master in a landslide vote.

Members of Freemasons SA/NT have voted in favour of plans to develop a skyscraper behind their historic home on North Tce. Picture: Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

Free­masons SA/NT Grand Master David Booker has cruised to a re-election victory on the back of a resounding vote in favour of plans to build a skyscraper behind Freemasons Hall in the city.

In a special ballot, more than 88 per cent of the 648 votes cast by the organisation’s “brethren” supported the tower development, which had been pitched as a way to raise much-needed funds for repairs and ongoing maintenance of the grant heritage-listed building on North Tce.

Artist's impression of the $120m development proposal for Freemasons Hall on North Tce. Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

Freemasons SA/NT Grand Master David Booker has been re-elected. Picture: Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

The result follows opposition to the project from defeated leadership challenger Dr Marcin Stankiewicz, who had described the proposal as “excessively grandiose and ill-defined”, and was lobbying for a more “viable” development at the site.

In a separate vote for the organisation’s leadership, Mr Booker secured more than 71 per cent of the 802 votes cast, and will now serve a further three years as Grand Master.

He said the results represented a strong endorsement for the “exciting vision” for the organisation’s “spiritual home” on North Tce.

“I welcome the opportunity to lead our organisation into this next exciting chapter, and I thank all the members who participated in the process,” he said.

“This project, underpinned by a sound investment strategy, will ensure a bright future for Freemasonry and help to preserve our spiritual home at Freemasons Hall for many generations to come.”

It was revealed in July last year that Freemasons Hall had “extensive concrete cancer”, and $2.2 million was needed for urgent repairs to address public safety concerns.

A further $6.4 million was needed over the coming decade to bring the building up to modern standards and compliance requirements.

The $120m development would include a mix of hotel, student accommodation, office and hospitality spaces. Picture: Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

The proposed $120m tower would include a mix of hotel, student accommodation, office and hospitality spaces across 33 storeys, and would be topped with a restaurant and public viewing platform.

A memorandum of understanding has been entered into with the History Trust of South Australia to explore the opportunity to transform part of the existing 1927 building into a museum showcasing artefacts and other historic South Australian items.

Freemasons Property Trust chairman Henry Davis said several potential development partners had already shown interest in the project.

“We have had significant interest from five local and interstate companies keen on being joint venture development partners, and our focus will now be on completing market research, evaluating tenders and working with the government on development approvals,” he said.

“While the future of the Freemasons Hall has been debated over many years, we can now confidently move forward knowing there is strong membership support to create a destination the entire community can enjoy.”

Mr Stankiewicz did not return calls.