Photographs provided by Walter Brooke
The sky is not the limit for this soaring new building, set to reach a height of 183 metres, securing its place as Adelaide’s tallest building. This large-scale project has commenced at 254 North Terrace – a site best known for the Grand Lodge of Freemasons, a historical hall and Freemasons’ headquarters for nearly 100 years.
Now, new renders of the epically scaled Keystone Adelaide project reveal a striking blend of heritage and innovation, positioning it as a world‑class destination for accommodation, business, events and wellness.
Set for completion within the next two to three years, the project is the result of extensive planning and research, alongside a strong commitment to preserving the State Heritage‑listed Grand Lodge of Freemasons. Rather than replacing the historic structure, current plans focus on its adaptive re‑use, intricately revitalising the interior while protecting its defining century-old architectural features.
Lead Keystone consultant and project chair Michael Baragwanath highlights the balance between preservation and long-term sustainability.
“We wanted to preserve as much of the heritage as possible while also making sure we’ve got an economically viable project… something sustainable for the next century.”
That vision extends to opening the building to the public in new ways. Under recently lodged plans, key spaces such as the Hall of Fame, grand staircase, parquetry flooring and ceremonial lodge rooms will be carefully retained. The Hall of Fame itself is set to become a hotel arrival space, showcasing its historic features.
The shared vision and confidence of the project’s architects was key, from the outset.
“We took the architects and visited more than 150 hotels around the world, in Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, the US, including Hawaii, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Then, England and Scotland, and one of our staff went across to Italy as well”, Baragwanath explains.
Embracing the past proved key, during this research phase.
“One of the things that we found consistently was that the hotels that had heritage fully embrace it… so we reworked the plan to make the heritage framework the centrepiece.”
This philosophy is reflected in the design plan, with materials like stone and timber paired with colours inspired by South Australia’s flora and fauna. For the architects, the project has offered a rare opportunity.
“It was a dream job because they get to include Freemason design elements that also have second meanings in the building.”
Beyond the heritage building, the broader Keystone Tower development will introduce a 37‑storey mixed‑use tower featuring a Westin hotel, private residences, hospitality venues, conference facilities, a business lounge and a wellness retreat, which will feature ornate interconnectivity to accommodation.
The wellness facilities are set to be a key drawcard, according to Mr Baragwanath.
“This will mean those who may usually head out of state for a restorative spa weekend away can access that experience right here in Adelaide’s CBD.”
A planned grand ballroom with sweeping city views and extensive balconies further cements its future status as a landmark destination.
Grand Secretary of Freemasons SA and NT, Boyd Sparrow, calls this “a landmark project for North Terrace and for Adelaide.”
With construction already underway, the Keystone project is poised to transform North Terrace, bringing together heritage, tourism and modern living while ensuring the Grand Lodge remains a meaningful part of our city’s future.
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