Beloved Zamora Shrine Center purchased for $3.5M

The cats out of the bag! The Zamora Shrine Center has been purchased for $3.5M. What does this mean? Here’s what we found out.

Sold this Month

According to the Birmingham Business Journal, the iconic Zamora Shrine Center was acquired by First Carolina Holdings LLC for $3.5 million on October 2.

Constructed in 1985 for the Masonic organization, the popular 57,359 square-foot meeting hall and events center is located at 3521 Ratliff Road in Irondale, near the intersection of I-459 at I-20.

Recognized from the interstate, here is how Bhamwiki describes the buildings and campus.

The building is notable for its Moorish-influenced and brightly-colored architectural design. The stepped roof rises to a central cupola topped with a gold-colored onion dome above the 2,500-seat arena. The property includes a 500-space parking lot, a barbecue pavilion and a monumental sculpture entitled ‘Editorial Without Words,’ that depicts a Shriner carrying a disabled child in one arm and her crutches in the other.

Home to the Shriners

The Center has been home to Zamora Shriners for 35 years. Potentate Kirk Pearson told the BBJ that the organization will remain in Birmingham. Most importantly, they will continue their charity work which benefits children with orthopedic problems and burn injuries. Presently, there are currently 22 Shriners hospitals around the country serving about 250 child patients.

What’s next?

The Zamora Shrine Center has been home to many different events, including local high school proms, the annual Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA Cat show and tournaments with the Tragic City Rollers. So what’s next?

As of now, the purchasers of the property are mum about their future plans. But we’ll be sure to keep you updated on what’s to come.

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