The A.K.E.A. is getting a facelift!

We are so excited to be part of the restoration project in downtown Auburn.  Built in 1924, this Masonic Temple has been home of the King Solomon Lodge No. 60 since the beginning.  The A.K.E.A. has been occupying the lower level since 1999.

As a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, any facade improvements require restoration back to the original design.  As you can see in the photo below, there used to be three store fronts.  By completion of the project, there will once again be three doors on the Main Street side.

Construction Phase 1 will begin within a couple weeks.  The farthest east section where the trophies are currently located will be the first to go.  The interior wall of the testing room will be removed, making way for the new lobby.  Please bear with us.  It will be worth the wait!

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Circa 1937, the Masonic Temple in its original glory.

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This renovation project is by Gentry Custom Remodel.

The “trophy shelf” and wall of the testing room came down.

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The external wall is next.

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The bottom half is down.

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And…it’s gone.

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The new door is cut in, and the new wall is getting framed in.

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The walls are up!

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Framed in & getting ready for the glass.

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You can see inside now, and the inside wall is mudded.

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The glass is in!

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The view from the inside:

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Great job cleaning the carpet, Ron Legacy & son, Gabriel from Legacy Services.

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The new windows are clean thanks to The Window Crew.

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The tiger door has been moved, and chairs are starting to show up.  It’s getting close now!

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A place for shoes and coats…NICE!

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It’s official!  The new entrance and lobby are ready for use.

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Thank you to all our students, parents, and instructors for your patience during this project.  It was worth the wait!