
In desperate need of somewhere to give their organization an official home, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry unanimously decided to fund the construction of what’s known today as the Scottish Rite Temple. Built in 1924, the venue is a stunning example of Egyptian Revival architecture, most apparent in the towering pillars that welcome visitors at the entrance. While the building still hosts Freemason events to this day, it also welcomes a selection of other events including the series of enchanting Candlelight concerts.
Scottish Rite Temple sits at the corner of NW 3rd Street and NW, a bustling street that’s a short walk from the Miami River and History Miami Museum. In terms of getting there, visitors can take advantage of the free parking lot located at 422 Northwest 5th Avenue or alternatively take the 208, 277, 7 and 77 buses that all stop close to the venue.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about Scottish Rite Temple
1. Scottish Rite Temple helped out with the war effort
As it’s been used for a wide range of functions over the years, the history of this building in Miami is long and rich. During World War Two, the venue was used by the US Army as an air raid shelter as well as a place to plan military operations. The majestic Banquet Hall was stripped of most of its furnishings while desks, radar systems, typewriters and more were installed to facilitate meetings and more.
2. Hurricane Andrew devastated the iconic Miami building
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida and the surroundings states. The category five hurricane caused $27.3 billion worth of damage to the US and hit the Scottish Rite Temple hard. It cost $2.7 million to repair the building once the hurricane had passed, however, there was some good that came out of all the destruction. During the reconstruction, a large orchestra pit was discovered under the floor of the auditorium which is now used as an extra events space.
3. Try not to get lost in the enormous venue
As the building is so big, many visitors from the fraternal organization who frequent the venue still haven’t had the chance to see most of what it. Alongside a gigantic auditorium, the building features 70 rooms, two dining rooms, a Skinner pipe organ, a commercial kitchen, a library, a print shop and no less than 14 bathrooms. Because of its sheer size, it would probably take hours and hours to see the building in its entirety.
Candlelight concerts at Scottish Rite Temple
If you’re looking for a reason to visit this historic Miami landmark, then there’s no better excuse than to attend an unforgettable Candlelight concert. This season, fans of music icons including Radiohead, Metallica, Taylor Swift and Luis Miguel can look forward to tributes to these legendary icons inside the magnificent Scottish Rite Temple. What’s more, the works of classical music composers such as Tchaikovsky as well as neo-soul and hip-hop stars including Frank Ocean, Jill Scott and The Weeknd are all set to receive their own Candlelight tributes, too.
What else can you do at Scottish Rite Temple?
Aside from the enchanting series of Candlelight concerts, Scottish Rite Temple hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Visitors can attend family picnics, discussion panels and even light saber classes inspired by the iconic Star Wars franchise. To celebrate the work of their fellow members, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry also host weekly meetings and award ceremonies inside the venue.
Miami has its fair share of remarkable venues in the city, and many of these magical locations are also setting the scene for these one-of-a-kind Candlelight concerts. Prepare to be enveloped in music and light as you experience the magic of these unforgettable tributes to music’s most beloved classical and contemporary stars.