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Building History

Seattle architect Charles Lyman Haynes (1869-1947) designed this Masonic Temple for a Capitol Hill-based branch of the fraternal organization. It opened for use in 1915. Haynes was a member of the Masons, belonging to the Arcana Lodge #87 in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

Seattle Central College purchased the building in 1992. The Seattle Independent Film Festival (SIFF), founded in 1976, had used the the building since 1980 after renovating it into a Egyptian-themed theatre. Beginning in 2014, SIFF rented the space from Seattle Central, initially at a monthly rate of $2,500. The rent would escalate at a rate of 3 percent per year, and the film festival was required to pay utility bills and a “leasehold excise tax.” (See Seattle Central College.edu, "Seattle Central's Egyptian Theatre becomes permanent home for SIFF," published 05/16/2014, accessed 10/13/2025.)

This arrangement between SIFF and Seattle Central ended in 10/2025. Following a serious pipe leak during the fall of 2024, the costs of maintaining the building became too great for the non-profit, especially at a time of serious budget shortfalls for many arts organizations. SIFF laid off nine employees during 2024-2025 and cut hours for others. (See Freddy Monares, KNKX.org, "SIFF cuts ties with Capitol Hill's historic Egyptian Theatre," published 10/10/2025, accessed 10/13/2025.)

The Landmarks Theatre group operated the Egyptian Theatre along with 7 others in the Seattle area in 2010.

Building Notes

Originally, this Masonic Temple had office spaces, a large auditorium and a smaller auditorium. Miscellaneous events occurred in the Masonic Building into the 1970s, when it hosted wrestling matches.

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) utilized the Egyptian as a prime screening venue for its yearly event by the 1980s.

Tel: 805 East Pine St. Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 781-5755

Alteration

The Masonic Temple was renovated into a theatre by the SIFF in 1980. As part of the 2014 ten-year lease agreement between SIFF and Seattle Central, the non-profit also took on the financial responsibility to upgrade various aspects of the facility. The college's website indicated in 2014: "As part of the agreement, SIFF has committed to extensive renovations and improvements to the theater. These include adding additional seating, improving the sound and projection equipment, refurbishing existing signage, adding a new bar and concessions area, installing new carpeting and fresh paint, expanding the bathrooms and more." (See Seattle Central College.edu, "Seattle Central's Egyptian Theatre becomes permanent home for SIFF," published 05/16/2014, accessed 10/13/2025.)

PCAD id: 15543