Masonic Temple to Reopen as Marciano Gallery In 2017

We were just wondering what was going on with the renovation of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple. Now, it seems the private art gallery planned for that space by the Marciano Brothers, owners of Guess? Clothing, is slated to open in early 2017 according to a story in Curbed LA.  

The Maurice and Paul Marciano Art Foundation purchased the building in July 2013 with plans to convert the space to a private museum that would occasionally be open to the public.  The Park Mile Design Review Board unanimously approved the renovations plans presented in May of 2014. The building, built in 1961 was designed by famous LA architect Millard Sheets but had fallen into disrepair after the original owners had abandoned the use of the building in 1994. In 2005, the city revoked the permit of a concert promoter tenant who had been illegally using the building as an event space ending a long and arduous battle for the residents of Windsor Square. 

Work began on the project in July 2014. Now it seems they are finally getting closer to completion.

Curbed LA reported, ArtNews hears that a curator, former MOCA curator Philipp Kaiser, has been chosen to pick out pieces from the Marcianos’ collection for the inaugural show at the museum; a publicist working with the museum says that it will probably open in early 2017. (There was some initial disagreement on this, with the curator saying one thing and the direction of the Marcianos’ foundation saying another thing, but that seems to be the latest word.)

The Curbed LA story features interesting photos of the inside of the building taken before construction began.