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{{Infobox NRHP
 | name                     = Hollywood Masonic Temple
 | nrhp_type                = 
 | image                    = Hollywood Masonic Temple.JPG
 | caption                  = Hollywood Masonic Temple, 2008
 | location                 = 6840 Hollywood Blvd., [[Hollywood, California]]
 | coordinates              = {{coord|34|6|4.73|N|118|20|24.5|W|display=inline,title}}
 | locmapin                 = USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area#California#USA
 | area                     = 
 | built                    = {{start date and age|1921}}
 | architect                = John C. Austin
 | architecture             = [[Neoclassical architecture|Classical Revival]]
 | added                    = February 28, 1985<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
 | designated_other2        = LAHCM
 | designated_other2_number = 277
 | designated_other2_date   = June 12, 1984<ref name = "LAHCM_list">{{Cite journal | last = Los Angeles Department of City Planning | date = September 7, 2007 | title = Historic - Cultural Monuments (HCM) Listing: City Declared Monuments | publisher = City of Los Angeles | url =http://www.cityprojectca.org/ourwork/documents/HCMDatabase090707.pdf | accessdate = 2008-05-28 }}</ref>
 | refnum                   = 85000355
}}
'''Hollywood Masonic Temple''', now known as the '''El Capitan Entertainment Centre''' and also formerly known as '''Masonic Convention Hall''', is a building on [[Hollywood Boulevard]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles]], [[California]], that was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1985. The building, built in 1921, was designed by architect [[John C. Austin]], also noted as the lead architect of the [[Griffith Observatory]]. The [[Freemasonry|Masons]] operated the temple until 1982, when they sold the building after several years of declining membership. The 34,000-square-foot building<ref name=Times0/> was then converted into a theater and nightclub, and ownership subsequently changed several times, until it was bought by the Walt Disney Company's Buena Vista Pictures Distribution in 1998 for [[Buena Vista Theatres, Inc.|Buena Vista Theatres, Inc]].<ref name=Times />

Buena Vista Theatres uses it as a promotion tool by creating themed environments to go along with movie premieres. The center is also rented out for industry parties, premieres, record releases and product roll-outs.<ref name=Times /> Since 2003, the building's theater has been the home of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[late-night talk show]] ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.

The building is rumored to have had a secret tunnel to [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]] that would allow movie stars to evade mobs at movie premieres. If it existed it is possible that the [[B Line (Los Angeles Metro)|B Line (Red)]] subway construction destroyed the tunnel.<ref name=Times />

==History==
===The Masonic Temple===
[[Image:HollywoodMasonicTemple-1922.jpg|thumb|250px|Hollywood Masonic Temple, 1922]]
In 1922, the Hollywood Lodge of the [[Freemasonry|Masons]] relocated from their existing lodge on the current site of the [[Dolby Theatre]].<ref name=Times>{{cite news|last1=Ridenour|first1=Al|title=A Chamber of Secrets|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/02/news/lv-masons2/2|accessdate=September 4, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 2, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922112755/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/02/news/lv-masons2/2|archive-date=September 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The construction of the new three-story building was led by lodge master [[Charles E. Toberman]], who was responsible for the [[Hollywood Bowl]], [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]],  the [[Roosevelt Hotel (Hollywood)|Roosevelt Hotel]] and the [[Max Factor]] Building.<ref name=Times/> The original building cost $176,678, with a sum of $56,421 allotted to furniture and fixtures and $36,295 for the purchase of the lot. Toberman and fellow member Charles Boag formed a Hollywood Masonic Club to partly finance the building offering membership subscriptions for $100.<ref name=Times2>{{cite news|author=Evelyn DeWolfe|title=Hollywood Night Life Brightens Masonic Temple to Reopen as Entertainment Center|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1987-09-06/realestate/re-5980_1_hollywood-masonic-temple|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 6, 1987}}</ref>

When the new temple opened, it was one of the most substantial structures in Hollywood. It had a billiard room, pipe organ, ladies parlor, ballroom, and lodge rooms. One writer described the building as "unsurpassed for beauty, attractiveness and richness of equipment." The architect, John C. Austin, also worked on the [[Shrine Auditorium]], Griffith Observatory, and [[Los Angeles City Hall]].<ref name=Times/>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described the building this way in 2002:

<blockquote>It's an impassive presence that seems to transcend the ebb and flow of Tinseltown glamour — a somber [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] temple that stands in stark contrast to the evolving parade of movers, shakers, panhandlers and paparazzi that have passed before it.<ref name=Times/></blockquote>

The grand ballroom was opened in February 1923; the opening ball featured a program on "the evolution of dance" featuring dancer Lucille Means.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talented Dancer to Appear at Ball: Attractive Program Arranged for Hollywood Masonic Fete|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1923-02-05}}</ref> Many of Hollywood's elite over the years have been Masons, including [[Oliver Hardy]], [[Harold Lloyd]], [[Douglas Fairbanks]], [[W.C. Fields]], [[Cecil B. DeMille]], [[D.W. Griffith]], [[John Wayne]], [[Roy Rogers]], and [[Gene Autry]].<ref name=Times/>

During the [[Great Depression]], many of the Masons lost their savings, and the Masons were forced to rent the ground floor to a social club that installed an illegal [[slot machine]].<ref name=Times/><ref name=Times2/> After [[World War II]], the Masons resumed full use of the structure, and in 1948, more than 300 people crowded into the Masonic Temple to attend a memorial service for [[D. W. Griffith]].<ref>{{cite news|title=D.W. Griffith Paid Tribute: Hollywood Honors Its Prophet During Memorial Services|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1948-07-28}}</ref> In 1969, longtime Mason [[Harold Lloyd]] was honored in a ceremony as his name was placed on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], directly in front of the Masonic Temple.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harold Lloyd Feted|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1969-06-05}}</ref>

===Opera theater and nightclub===
By the late 1970s, Masonic membership had declined, and the Masons rented out ground-floor space to a restaurant. In 1980, the lodge moved out of the building to Van Nuys and renamed the Hollywood-West Valley Lodge.<ref name=Times/> By 1982, the Masons could not afford upgrades to meet revised fire and seismic codes.  The Masons sold the building to singer [[Rosita LaBello]] who converted the structure into the Hollywood Opera & Theater Company. The building's life with LaBello's opera and theater company was short-lived with only a few operatic productions.<ref name=Times2/> With the opera and theater company's failure, the building was sold back to the lodge.<ref name=Times/>

In {{dts|1986|2}}, Detroit developer James Hoseyni signed a 20-year lease with an $2.7 million 3-year option to buy with building owner 6840 Hollywood Associates, an affiliate of Westmark Development. Westmark Development at that time had Nicholas Olaerts and Thomas Harnsberger as general partners<ref name=Times2/> and who were owners of [[El Capitan Theatre]] by 1992.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fox|first1=David J.|title=Jackson Mural Runs Up Against a Wall|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-26/entertainment/ca-6081_1_el-capitan-theatre|accessdate=September 7, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=August 26, 1992}}</ref> Donald Bruce Randall, an architect of the Randall/Baylon Partnership of Los Angeles, and Tehran-born Kamal Kamooneh, the project's creative architect, with Hoseyni lead the renovation costing $1.5 million to house a 250-seat cabaret, 500-seat jazz theater and an 800-person dance club. The Blue and Red Halls were restored then modified for a disc jockey's podium, special electronic and lighting equipment and bars. The bathrooms were moved to the basement to create more floor space.<ref name=Times2/> In September 1987, the building was renovated and reopened as the Hollywood Live Entertainment Pavilions with a cover charge for all venues.<ref name=Times2/> Hollywood Live lasted only a short time.<ref name=Times />

For the 1995 ''[[Toy Story]]'' premiere at the next door [[El Capitan Theater]], Disney rented the building for ''[[Toy Story (franchise)#Totally Toy Story|Totally Toy Story]]'', a multimedia [[funhouse]] promotional event for the movie.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kronke |first1=David|title=After 'Toy Story' Credits Roll, the Fun Comes Alive|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1995-11-21/entertainment/ca-5789_1_toy-story|accessdate=September 7, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 21, 1995}}</ref> In mid-July 1998, [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Buena Vista Pictures Distribution]] purchased the building from a bankrupt individual for $3.6 million to continue using it as a promotional venue.<ref name=Times0>{{cite news|last1=Fulmer|first1=Melinda|title=Disney Unit Buys Historic Masonic Temple|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jul/17/business/fi-4422|accessdate=September 7, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 17, 1998}}</ref>

===El Capitan Entertainment Centre===
In 2002, after extensive renovation, [[Disney]] reopened the building as the El Capitan Entertainment Centre. Disney restored original fixtures, including backlighted stone [[filigree]], wrought iron [[torchiere]]s, [[Ernest A. Batchelder|Batchelder]] tiles and old post boxes once used by Masonic officers.<ref name=Times/>

On {{dts|2003|1|26}}, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]—which is owned by Disney—premiered the [[late-night talk show]] ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''; the series has been broadcast from the Masonic Temple's theatre since its premiere.<ref name=ct>{{cite news|title=Double duty for Kimmel|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-11-07/features/0211070027_1_jimmy-kimmel-live-el-capitan-entertainment-center-man-show|accessdate=September 7, 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=Zap2it|date=November 7, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2020 |title=Jimmy Kimmel Sets Post-Emmys Return to Late Night {{!}} Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jimmy-kimmel-sets-post-emmys-return-to-late-night#:~:text=Jimmy%20Kimmel%20is%20headed%20back,regular,%20one-hour%20format. |access-date=2020-09-26 |website=www.hollywoodreporter.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{commonscatinline|Hollywood Masonic Temple}}
* [[List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Hollywood|Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Hollywood]]
*[[List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{LAHMC}}
{{Walt Disney Studios}}

[[Category:Former Masonic buildings in California]]
[[Category:Masonic buildings completed in 1921]]
[[Category:Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hollywood, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Hollywood Boulevard]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Studios (division)]]