Thompson Hine LLP is proud to announce its role in the $11.5 million transformative redevelopment of the historic Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge on Auburn Avenue, a landmark that once served as the office of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The project, led by E.W. Bowen & Company in partnership with the Prince Hall Masons and the Trust for Public Land, will transform the building into a 16,000-square-foot, multi-use space integrated with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
The Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge, constructed in 1937, has long been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn district. In addition to its Masonic heritage, the building has housed the offices of Dr. King, the SCLC, the Madam C.J. Walker beauty shop and WERD 860 AM, the first Black-owned radio station in the United States. The renovation will restore the building to its original grandeur, preserving its historical significance while adding modern amenities and structural improvements.
Upon completion, the revitalized lodge will serve as a hub for Masonic activities, cultural events and educational programs, while its lower floors will be open to the public as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, incorporating an interpretation of Dr. King’s office by the National Park Service as a visitors’ venue to complement the King Birth Home and King Historic District, both located within walking distance of the Lodge. This project will further cement the Lodge’s role as a gathering place for community leaders and a beacon of Atlanta’s civil rights legacy.
Thompson Hine represented the developer, E.W. Bowen & Company, playing a pivotal role in the renovation project’s funding and ensuring its complex legal, financial and operational structure and agreements were sound and aligned with the vision for the building’s future. The firm helped to secure and consummate a pre-development loan and a tax allocation grant from the City of Atlanta, as well as finalize a grant from the Trust for Public Land. The project team also facilitated the syndication and sale of both Historic Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits, which provided additional financing for the renovation. All told, the firm reviewed, negotiated and/or finalized more than 300 agreements related to the financing, construction and renovation work, including all commercial leases for the renovated space.
Isaac Newton Farris Jr., nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said, “This project is more than a restoration of bricks and mortar; it is a restoration of history and hope. The Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the civil rights movement and the Atlanta community’s commitment to preserving America’s shared legacy. Its revitalization will inspire future generations to continue the work of justice, equality, and unity that my uncle, Dr. King, and so many others began within these very walls.”
Sherman Golden, senior counsel at Thompson Hine who led the deals from the firm’s side, emphasized the significance of the project: “We are honored to have played a central role in the redevelopment of the Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge, a project that not only preserves a vital piece of Atlanta’s history but also breathes new life into a cornerstone of the civil rights movement and helps the overall redevelopment of the King Historic District. Our team was deeply committed to ensuring that every legal and financial detail supported the vision of creating a vibrant, inclusive space for the community. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and of embracing our shared history and the lasting impact that thoughtful redevelopment can have on our city and its people.”
When complete, the revitalized Grand Lodge will feature enhanced event spaces, educational facilities and community gathering areas, all designed to serve the diverse needs of Atlanta residents. The redevelopment will stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Prince Hall Masons and their pivotal role in the city’s history.
Golden and Thompson Hine have a history of work in revitalizing Atlanta communities, for example helping to found and serving as the first general counsel to the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP), Georgia’s first well-financed regional nonprofit developer and sponsor. Golden also helped establish the Atlanta Mortgage Consortium, a group of local banks and mortgage companies that provide subsidized mortgages primarily to first-time homebuyers, and he represented the City of Atlanta when it first acquired Ponce City Market, now one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the country’s history.