City gives green light to the demolition of nearly a century-old ex-Masonic Home in Des Moines.
In a move that has sparked controversy within the community, the City of Des Moines has given permission to a Sumner-based developer, Zenith Properties LLC, to demolish the nearly century-old former Masonic Home. The building, which has been overlooking Puget Sound since 1926, has been a part of the city's landscape for nearly a century.
However, the decision to demolish the building has not been met without opposition. People who wish to preserve the historic site have until August 18 to submit written appeals to the city. The demolition, if it goes ahead, is not expected to take place for several months, depending on the outcome of the appeals process.
Lloyd Lytle, a resident who lives across the street and grew up walking the grounds, is among those fighting to protect the building. Lytle has started an online fundraiser earlier this month to hire attorneys and experts to fight the demolition of the former Masonic Home.
The Masons, who originally built the building, put the property up for sale in 2013, but it wasn't purchased until 2019. In a 2022 letter to the city, the Masons stated that they spent 15 years studying how they could preserve the building, only to learn that it was a substantial liability. The Masons wrote that selling and demolishing the building represented "the greatest potential for a positive and successful future" for the property and its surrounding community.
Before developing on the 27-acre property, Zenith Properties LLC must build an on-site, publicly accessible installation about the former Masonic Home's history. The demolition permit also requires the property's owner to pay the city $1.1 million to fund preserving city-owned landmarks. Architectural salvage companies will also be allowed to collect architectural elements from the building.
The City of Des Moines has estimated it would cost over $160 million to restore the building. The former Masonic Home was used as a nonprofit event center called Landmark on the Sound until 2014.
Historic preservation supporters and organizations have launched legal appeals challenging the decision to demolish the building. They argue that the City’s environmental review process was flawed and incomplete, specifically:
- The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) allegedly “piecemealed” the demolition impact by ignoring the larger redevelopment plans for the 27-acre property.
- The project purpose was defined too narrowly, excluding reasonable alternatives such as adaptive reuse, affordable housing, or institutional uses compatible with zoning.
- The EIS overestimated preservation costs and failed to adequately assess impacts on historic, cultural, environmental, and recreational resources.
- The site is regarded as a significant community landmark eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and demolition would erase a historic district with gardens and trails cherished by the community.
Supporters have raised funds (over $8,000 so far, aiming for $50,000) to cover legal fees and expert reports for their appeal. They anticipate the City will issue the demolition permit but hope the appeal process will force a revision of the EIS to include a fuller range of preservation and reuse alternatives and environmental impacts.
No appeal hearing date has yet been set, and the City Council’s August 7, 2025, meeting served only for informational presentations without voting on the EIS or demolition permit, as the decision and appeal process are administrative.
In summary, the Masonic Home faces demolition due to cost and safety concerns as per the City’s EIS, but active appeals and fundraising efforts are underway to explore preservation alternatives, challenge the environmental evaluation, and find a feasible path to save this historic landmark from destruction.
- The City of Seattle, in light of the ongoing battle to save the historic Masonic Home in Des Moines, might consider getting involved to promote discussions about preservation and viable alternative uses for the property.
- As the weather in Bellevue turns colder this fall, those in the real-estate industry could discuss the impact of the Masonic Home preservation efforts on the local property market, considering the significance of the iconic structure to the community.
- The finance sector might pay attention to the financial repercussions of the appeal process for the Masonic Home construction project, as the future decision could set a precedent for similar situations involving government and historic site development in various cities.
- Supporters of the environment, concerned about the potential loss of the Masonic Home's surrounding gardens and trails, may find it advantageous to collaborate with local groups and coordinate efforts to preserve other significant green spaces in the Puget Sound region to ensure their protection for future generations.
