Gran Oriente Filipino Masonic Lodge

The Gran Oriente Filipino Masonic Lodge was the most prominent Filipino fraternal organization in the 1930s. The organization helped Filipino cultural identity take root in San Francisco during a time period of repeated attempts to restrict Filipino immigration, employment and housing. The masons were active philanthropists who helped raise money for education, employment, housing, and fraternal and social support services in response to this discrimination. The Gran Oriente Filipino Gran Oriente Filipino Hotel, Residence, and Masonic Temple Complex are emblematic of the struggles and achievements of Filipino immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area.  (San Francisco Planning, Landmark Designation Report)

When the Gran Oriente Lodge was put on the market, community members advocated for it to be rehabilitated and preserved as permanent affordable housing and a historical cultural asset for the Filipno community. In 2017, it was purchased by Mission Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer with funding from the SOMA Stabilization Fund.