06/18/2026
Can there still be time to save this historic landmark?
You may have seen the recent news out of King County: the historic Masonic Home of Washington in Des Moines has been granted a conditional demolition permit, and the family of the original architect is fighting hard alongside community advocates to save it. Completed in 1926 as a retirement community for Washington’s Masons, this "Landmark on the Sound" is filled with the kind of craftsmanship that simply cannot be replicated today, from hand-carved woodwork and stained glass to gorgeous terrazzo floors and soaring box-beam ceilings. It is a stunning, 108,000-square-foot testament to beauty, permanence, and care.
While it sits just north of us, its story is deeply tied to our city. The architect was Frederick Heath—the legendary Tacoma visionary who gave us Tacoma Armory, the First Church of Christ, and so many others. Stadium High School was also a Heath design, and it serves as the ultimate inspiration for what is possible. Originally planned as a luxury hotel, it was abandoned mid-construction and sat unfinished for years before the school district stepped in, adapted the shell, and turned it into one of the most iconic public schools in the country. That is adaptive reuse at its finest. It proves that even the most challenging historic buildings can find vibrant second lives if a community chooses to invest in them.
Tearing down the Masonic Home isn’t just a heartbreaking cultural loss; it’s a massive environmental setback. We love to remind our neighbors that the greenest building is always the one already built. Once a wrecking ball swings, all of that original embodied energy, irreplaceable craftsmanship, and historic material is lost to a landfill forever.
How you can help: The King5 news highlights the family leading this fight. The most immediate way to support them is to watch and share their story so more people understand what’s at stake.
🔗 Watch the story and learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atmBfITLRa8
Heath’s architectural legacy belongs to all of us here in the Pacific Northwest. Let’s not let another masterpiece vanish. 🏛️❤️
