Planning approval has been sought for the adaptive re-use of Adelaide’s Grand Lodge of Freemasons on North Terrace, one of South Australia’s most significant State Heritage-listed buildings, as part of the broader $400 million Keystone Tower development being delivered by Freemasons SA & NT.
The proposal, now publicly notified in line with heritage planning requirements, outlines a sensitive interior revitalisation of the historic Freemasons Hall, integrating it into a major mixed-use precinct that will include a Westin-branded hotel, high-end residential apartments, hospitality venues and cultural facilities.
At 41 storeys, the Keystone Tower at 254 North Terrace will be a substantial addition to Adelaide’s skyline.
The broader development will deliver 201 hotel rooms operating under Marriott International’s Westin Hotels brand, 25 apartment-hotel rooms, 48 residential apartments, conference facilities, a business lounge, a wellness retreat and a range of hospitality offerings.
Central to the project is the preservation and activation of the Grand Lodge building itself.
The adaptive re-use plans have been designed to retain key historic features, including the Hall of Fame, the grand marble staircase, original timber parquetry flooring and a series of ceremonial lodge rooms.
Rather than mothballing or demolishing these spaces, the proposal seeks to bring them into active use as part of the new precinct.
The Hall of Fame, one of the building’s most distinguished interior spaces, is proposed to serve as the primary hotel arrival and check-in area, creating a grand entrance to the development while maintaining the architectural and historic integrity of the room.
This approach reflects a globally recognised model of adaptive reuse, where heritage fabric is retained and given renewed functional purpose rather than replaced.
The design team consulted heritage buildings in London during the research phase of the project, examining how century-old structures have been restored and adapted to meet contemporary access and amenity standards without compromising their historic character.
That methodology has informed the design principles applied to the Freemasons Hall.
Because the Grand Lodge holds State Heritage Place status, the planning process requires public notification, and signage has been installed on the building to inform the community of the proposal.
This stage represents a key milestone in the project’s approvals pathway.
The design team has also flagged an intention to incorporate elements that reflect South Australia’s broader cultural identity throughout the building, establishing a stronger narrative connection between the site’s history and its future role as a public-facing destination on North Terrace.
The Keystone Tower project is currently under construction, with the heritage adaptation component forming a distinct but integrated part of the overall development.
The adaptive re-use plans are positioned as a long-term preservation strategy, providing the Grand Lodge with the financial and functional sustainability needed to ensure its upkeep and continued relevance within Adelaide’s civic landscape.
The project represents one of the most significant heritage-led development proposals Adelaide has seen in recent years, combining tourism infrastructure, residential supply and cultural access within a single precinct anchored by one of the city’s oldest and most architecturally distinguished buildings.
