Almas Temple

Walking along K Street in downtown Washington, D.C. amid the hustle and bustle of think tanks and big business, one wouldn’t expect to find a Moorish-style palace tucked away between its taller neighbors.

Featuring one of the last mosaic tile facades in Washington, D.C., this vibrant building face, styled after the famed Alhambra located in Granada, Spain, was originally built in 1929.

When the old building was sold, the facade was taken down tile by tile, numbered, and reassembled in its new location due to its status as a historic landmark. Construction was completed in 1990 on the building that stands today.

Shriners number more than 300,000 members worldwide and each is a master mason and are known for their philanthropic activities. The building was designed by Allen H. Potts, who was a Shriner and a member of the temple.