Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[urbanboy]

Sure, that is a possibility, just remember, aesthetics of a skyline are not as important as how well the city is put together. But yes, that gap would be filled if there were a taller building on both this site, and the proposed site for the World Trade Center.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

very much agreed. this block needs 2 tallest imho to really make the skyline look like it is connected with southern downtown.

Well if we can get BOTH the World Trade Center Utah and The Glass Tower on Main then that should do it.
Plus the 40-story tower for 100 South and State would really help fill in those gaps.

[urbanboy]

I am fiercely opposed to a glass tower in that location on Main Street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put it somewhere else! Maybe the Zion's Bank could be moved to the north end of the existing Regent Street. and then the glass tower could be built in that spot. Or, put it on State Street.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

I am fiercely opposed to a glass tower in that location on Main Street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put it somewhere else! Maybe the Zion's Bank could be moved to the north end of the existing Regent Street. and then the glass tower could be built in that spot. Or, put it on State Street.

I too don't like the idea of putting the glass tower on the Bennion Jewlers site but I also think the idea of moving the old Zions would be a MONUMENTAL mistake. Some historic buildings shouldn't change locations, in my opinion Zions Banks is one of them.

As for the Utah/Pantages. They wouldn't be squeezing 2,500 seats into a 1,500 seat space, the article noted that they would be adding additional space to the Pantages in order to accommodate more seating. I'm not against a new theater on W. Temple I would just prefer that Pantages be the large theater. If Pantages was remodeled and expanded to comfortable accommodate 2,500, touring shows wouldn't even blink at booking shows there.

I would think if we want a new tallest on this block could go mid block next to the old Zions and the Dinwooody building could be removed to make way for it, there would be plenty of space in that location. As for the proposed WTC site, without significantly changing the layout of the Regent street parking and removing the historic buildings north of Carl's Jr. (I like those buildings) I don't see how there is even close to enough room on that site for the proposal.

[arkhitektor]

There is enough room on that corner for a new tower without moving the old Zion's Bank bldg. on Main St. You could put up an L-shaped building around it or even incorporate it into the base of a new building somehow.

On a related note, does anybody know anything about this building:?


It looks terrible on the outside, thanks to an awful 60's era re-clad, but I walked by recently and the interior looked rather historic and pretty well intact.

Zion's Bank is using it for something, but I didn't pay enough attention at the time to notice whether it was a bank branch or what.

Anyway, I just was wondering what the building's history is and whether there was an attractive facade hiding behind that wall of aluminum.

** Also, Microsoft's Live Earth maps have now added bird's eye view images of Salt Lake County. They appear to have been taken sometime late last summer (Note the old Key Bank bldg. in the pic on the right) Check it out sometime:
http://maps.live.com/

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

I am fiercely opposed to a glass tower in that location on Main Street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put it somewhere else! Maybe the Zion's Bank could be moved to the north end of the existing Regent Street. and then the glass tower could be built in that spot. Or, put it on State Street.

Moving the old Zion's Bank building would be a mistake. Part of what makes it historic it's the location. What would be cool that should make everyone happy is what if the "Glass Tower could be build AROUND the Zions bank where that parking lot is. No buildings would need to torn down and we would still have a new tallest that would help fill in the skyline.

[arkhitektor]

Oh, and they've also added a grundle of texturized 3D content. They have almost every major building down the Wasatch Front and all of downtown Ogden, SLC, and Provo modeled. Browsing around on it is an excellent way to waste time at work.

Salt Lake:


Ogden:


Provo:

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Well if we can get BOTH the World Trade Center Utah and The Glass Tower on Main then that should do it.
Plus the 40-story tower for 100 South and State would really help fill in those gaps.

yes but neither of those are really that tall. The glass tower looked like 35 stories, the WTC is only like 25 or something (and we don't even know if it is going there, or if the glass tower is just a pipe dream) the 40 story tower will probably be as tall as wells fargo is considering it will be residential. I was thinking something mid block is needed like 50 stories+


oh and Urbanboy I think moving zions is unnecessary as has already been stated. There is so much parking around that building there could be 2 towers built in that space and still leave the zions intact. I think it would look amazing with towers surrounding it. ... I can't say I love the bennon jewelers building, but I do like it. I agree that before it is razed for a tower that developers should look at other options such as that ugly 60's jetson architecture to the south with no windows, and the police station across the street, etc. there are many buildings and parking structures that should be razed for towers before the bennon jewelers building bites the dust, if they were moved again I don't think they would be too happy, and that sends a bad message to businesses about DT salt lake.

[NYC Rick]

I live in NYC where the streets are narrow and force condensing the structures out of necessity. Yes every so often there is a building that fills a block but that is not the norm. One example is the MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) occupies a middle portion of 53th Street between Madison and 5th. The Moma is a billion dollar museum and after it was refurbished there was a small sliver of land left. I mean a sliver that would be one in SLC.

To not waste the land, a 1,000 ft building is going up in a space that would fit the Wells Fargo space, in SLC, if it were sideways.

Eastern cities and some Midwest and Southern Cities, not to mention most Eastern cities had the layouts designed 200 or so years ago. They did not give 10 cents if a wagon train with Oxen could turn around.

The point is that SLC is a tough city to condense a skyline. Those wide streets not only make buildings look smaller but the present large amounts of land that are just not accessible for buildings. Out here the distance between Main and State could easily have 1 or bisecting streets in a North/South and East/West directions. Easier access for infill high rise construction. The density is enviable when you see everything together.

I can really appreciate SLC though. The space, if not left to rot and made to look inviting is terrific.

You guys can wish space to disappear and it will just by looking at the fine watercolor on downtown risings front page. However, because of the space, it will never feel crowded. You are lucky that the space is there and that we live in a time where beauty is actually being considered before any building is just thrown up. I still feel and did when I was growing up...even being quite young, I could see that First Security or whatever it is called now...as an abomination. My feeling has not changed. Maybe it will be left as a monument to the ugliness of the 50's and early 60's sense of no taste. I came along after it but what were they thinking?

SLC will grow and its downtown will look formidible. The space will be a plus but I just hope they place quality design before they just throw up buildings. The University Club (or whatever it is) comes to mind.

[delts145]

You couldn't have said it better NYC Rick. I like that Downtown Salt Lake has options. Now, if they will continue to put in attractive infill and dissect the blocks as they are with Richards and Regent. There are so many things that creative planners can do with Downtown Salt Lake.

I often get very frustrated in certain areas of downtown L.A., when I have to stumble around newspaper stands, because there isn't enough room on the sidewalk for two people to pass each other comfortably. And then, next to that narrow sidewalk it isn't uncommon to have a 50-story tower.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I agree that before it is razed for a tower that developers should look at other options such as that ugly 60's jetson architecture to the south with no windows, and the police station across the street, etc. there are many buildings and parking structures that should be razed for towers before the bennon jewelers building bites the dust, if they were moved again I don't think they would be too happy, and that sends a bad message to businesses about DT salt lake.

Wow, let me gather my thoughts.
First, the "ugly 60's Jetson" building is so interesting and one of my favorite buildings on Main Street from that time period (long before the 60's (late 40's early 50's)) in which it was built: before the second century plan. There are windows on street level. This is the most important level to have windows. It's very unique, and could easily be reused as a museum of some sort.
Second, the former police station has historic value and is a perfect space for future retail. There might also be an intact original historic facade behind the current facade.
Third, why would you raise a perfectly functional building for a tower when there are plenty of parking lots to fill?! A tower that will likely not interact with the street as well as the current buildings do. Notice how boring it is to experience the sidewalk in front of the One Utah and Wells Fargo buildings. also notice the lack of pedestrian scale architectural detail on these buildings. There will always be gaps in the skyline depending on what angle you view it from. Our motives should not be based on the perspective of the skyline from a distance but rather from the perspective of the user on site.

[Viperlord]

first off, the 40 story proposal on state and 100 south will be a mixed use tower, so it would be taller than the Fargo. And its anyones guess if that will be reduced or heightened by the time its built

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

first off, the 40 story proposal on state and 100 south will be a mixed use tower, so it would be taller than the Fargo. And its anyones guess if that will be reduced or heightened by the time its built

So... ?

[Viperlord]

but it is fun to guesstimate right?

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

but it is fun to guesstimate right?

Are you just guesstimating, or do you know something?

[Viperlord]

They are looking at a mixed use tower for the site orignally.

My uncle has said that he has seen plans, and they call for a 40 story condominium tower on that site. I would imagine though that they are just massing models at this point, and no official plans have been made.

But, who is to say my uncle wasnt misinformed, or he is calling it a condo tower because it will be mixed use but have condos... Who knows,

Only time will tell.

[scrapernerd]

I was just thinking about the new expansion of the Huntsman cancer hospital and I have no clue where its going to fit by the existing hospital? any ideas. I guess just extend it more to the north.
just wondering

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

They are looking at a mixed use tower for the site orignally.

My uncle has said that he has seen plans, and they call for a 40 story condominium tower on that site. I would imagine though that they are just massing models at this point, and no official plans have been made.

But, who is to say my uncle wasnt misinformed, or he is calling it a condo tower because it will be mixed use but have condos... Who knows,

Only time will tell.

I am really hoping for this tower. If it is 40-stories then it would be a new tallest. But I don't think we will see anything happing with this tower till after 2011.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Second, the former police station has historic value and is a perfect space for future retail. There might also be an intact original historic facade behind the current facade.

It's now a Downtown Rising Show Case. Inside there are renderings and layouts of most of the projects going on in downtown. It's kind of cool. But it's nothing more then what we already know. In fact with Viperlord we know more.
But yea that is a ugly building. I wounder if there is a historic facade hiding there.

[jmonkey]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

This is what I would like to see happen :

[IMG][/IMG]

I love this idea, urbanboy. I agree that we'll probably end up building the broadway theater from scratch, but saving the Pantages Theater at the same time would really clinch this layout. I also like the idea of using it as a film center; it would be a great home for Sundance, and really give downtown a presence during the festival. And I'm sure the Utah Ballet and Opera could switch between the Capitol and the Pantages as well--hell, they could even schedule performances for the same nights!

arkhitektor, that building you are pointing to is the Dinwoody Building. It is owned, and used by Zion's Bank. I'm also very interested in what may be underneath that 'urban renewal' mask; the original facade could be well-preserved, or it may be totally lost. If there's nothing left, I personally wouldn't be opposed to replacing it.

The three storefronts north of the Kearns and Daynes buildings look like a complete loss to me. They recently removed the 1970's facade where the police sub-station was located, uncovering a 1950's facade. It is now covered by a graphic tarp. The north side of the buildings are covered with particle board. The place is a wreck--sometimes, there's just no history left to save.

I also really like the white building on Main Street--not often you see the flying buttress used in modern architecture!! I would definately say the building was built in the 60's or 70's though.