In April 2025 I started sketching the facades of the Masonic Hotel in Bricklink Studio. In parallel I created a small swag set for swapping with other fans. The set consists of some iconic facade elements of the Masonic plus a printed minifigure, instructions are available in the link section.
The first Masonic Hotel was opened on the present site by Proprietor Joseph Gill on 14th September 1861. In 1875 the hotel was extended to cover the complete section, the proprietor at this time was Mr A Dalziell.
On May 23 1896 Masonic Hotel was destroyed by fire. Tenders were called for within a month of the fire and the Masonic was rebuilt in 1897 by Mr C Fleming McDonald in what was to become the grandest hotel in Napier destroyed during the1931 earthquake.
The 1932 Masonic hotel was designed by Wellington architect W J Prowse and built by Edwards Construction Co. It is a simple symmetrical structure, enlivened only by its elaborate upper storey wooden pergola facing the sea and it’s conspicuous “MASONIC” in Deco capitals of red lead light in the canopy at the entrance of the hotel.
It was built at the price of 41.000 Pound and spans almost a whole block.
The exterior structure remains basically unchanged from when it was first built. However, the original finish was pure white with lettering on Parade elevation picked out in black, decoration on other facades (including parapets) in pale mauve. The building was originally designed to take another floor.
Queen Elisabeth II stayed at the Masonic during her 1953/4 Royal Tour.
It has been interesting to find out what buildings there have initially been on the corner of Hastings and Emerson Street...see next part :-)
UPDATE:
Built is finished, see photos below :-)
In parallel I am building something different - see next page!
Picture taken 1999:
