Designed by British American architect and Freemason Richard Sharp Smith, the building was opened in April 1915.

[2] Architect Smith was originally from England and was working in New York City for Richard Morris Hunt who hired him to supervise the construction of the Biltmore House.

It was suggested that the basement and first floor would include a reading room, library, secretaries’ offices, lobby, banquet hall, and a kitchen.

The second floor would be used by Mount Hermon Lodge and other appendant bodies, such as the Order of the Eastern Star and the York Rite.

[4] Almost two years later, on April 29, 1915, the Masonic Temple Company accepted the building from the contractor.