An abandoned Masonic Temple envisioned as a modern hospitality venue

Following a devastating fire in 2013, this building was on the path to demolition after years of ownership and insurance battles. On the day we closed there was a shooting on the property and a swarming response by QPD in a city where everyone seems to have a cop uncle. 

Before we could redevelop the property, we had to save it from the wrecking ball. There was no mandate to save the building, in fact some Town Officials wanted to see it gone. Our task was to illustrate how it could be re-purposed as a boutique hotel (this would eventually be replaced by residential), to gain the endorsement of the Mayor's office.

I lead the conceptual development and naming of The Ashlar Hotel, working in tandem with my architect partner and an architectural illustrator to prepare schematic plans for a ~90 room boutique hotel in Quincy's historic downtown. We worked with a local design group who created the logo and identity that captured the mystique of the building.

Built in 1926 as the Quincy Masonic Temple, this National Historic Register building suffered a catastrophic fire and partial collapse in 2013 (CBS Boston). The remaining limestone facade is an iconic part of Quincy's downtown.

The long-vacant property was purchased by local real estate developer  in March of 2017, and I lead a successful effort with the local City Councilor and Quincy Planning Department to receive approvals for a Phase 1 activation of the existing building as a hospitality venue.

I borrowed the name "The Ashlar"  from the finest stone masonry unit, ashlar, precisely cut on all faces adjacent to those of other stones. The name is an homage to the Quincy Quarries, to the building's facade of limestone ashlar blocks, and to the history of the Quincy Masonic Temple.

The concept ultimately evolved into two Quincy Center projects. The temple itself became part of Center & Stone, with Masons Steakhouse now operating inside the historic building. The Ashlar name was appropriated and re-applied to Ashlar Park, the residential campus around the restored Quincy Medical Center Administration Building (see the Whitwell Street project).

Identity System

← →

Logo was created with Boston-based Fore Design [[Fore Design, maybe Dribble?]]:

"Inspired by the idea of a secret society being opened to the public as well as the shady history of this specific property, we created a mark that suggests that some words or names have been hidden, leaving only the name of the hotel unredacted."