Ridgewood Masonic Temple to be converted to apartments

The landmark Ridgewood Masonic Temple in Bushwick is on its way to being transformed into an apartment building.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved on Tuesday, Jan. 19, plans to convert the landmarked building into a 29-unit residential structure, according to published reports on New York YIMBY.

The Ridgewood Masonic Temple, also known as Ridgewood Lodge No. 710, Free and Accepted Masons, served the Masons into the turn of the century, but currently remains vacant. The lodge, located at 1052 Bushwick Ave., was designated for landmark status by the LPC in July 2014 in hopes that becoming a landmark would lead to a restoration of the building.

The plans, presented by Brooklyn-based ND Architecture & Design PC, feature new fenestrations along the building, an addition to the rear of the building, a rooftop addition on a section of the building, and converting the unused parking lot into a garden.

Although the design firm is pitching new features for the iconic building, some of the 96-year-old structure’s main features will remain in place, including the large monumental windows facing Bushwick Avenue.

An overall restoration of the actual structure, which is cracked and covered in graffiti, will be handled by the LPC’s staff.

Plans indicate that the proposed 29 residential units will be of varying configurations, from studios to three-bedroom apartments.