Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[jmonkey]

Photo taken by me, Nov. 12, 2007

That is what was under the first facade.

[Scraperdude801]

[QUOTE=urbanboy;3399707]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.

this come down to your opinon vs. my opinion. I never siad that towers on these sites should not be pedestrian friendly. I think they should be very pedestrian oriented, but I also believe that these are prime areas to build density because of their proximity to traxx, temple square, gallivan, CCC, arts district, harmons, salt palace, etc. this is the heart of DT. If you can show me a historic facade underneath that police building then show me. That jetson's building is a mistake in my opinion. All I said is I would much rather see those two go than see the Bennon Jeweler's building go, or see the zion's bank building moved as you would have done. That is a true mistake. We all know that development is coming in the future years. It is important to see only the undesirable stock of buildings go, and not the gems be replaced in their stead. In a perfect world I would have no building go because they all tell a story, but since we don't live in such a fantasy land we have to make choices. With these choices come responsability of making sustainable choices. Please do not misinterpret my words. I am not the one in charges of these choices so alll I can do is state my opnion on what I would rather see go first. that is all.

[delts145]

Utah not sinking as fast as rest of nation - Experts: State expected to skirt the brunt of a recession

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8484247

.

[jedikermit]

Which one is the "Jetsons" building that people keep referring to? I'm trying to follow along, but...huh?

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Which one is the "Jetsons" building that people keep referring to? I'm trying to follow along, but...huh?

If i'm not mistaken Kermit, it is the building to the right of the Daynes building, three posts up. I too would like to see if there is a facade behind the second facade. If there is I'm all for keeping it, if there isn't lets get it out of here.

As for the One Utah and the Wells Fargo Towers, I think the design of the One Utah being set back from the corner compensates for it not having any street front 'retai' or being pedestrian friendly. As for the Fargo Tower I think it has a great street presence with how the entrance is designed with the over hanging awning type structure. If you recal when it was originally built as the American Stores Tower there was a small grocery store in the space now occupied by Channel 2. There just wasn't enough critical mass of residents on the surrounding blocks to make it successfull.

While it is not a retail store i think that Channel 2 being in that location has done wonders for the street and the building. The biggest benefit of these two buildings is the fact that they flow into and out of the Gallivan Center.

People have mentioned the need for more mid block streets in the city to make it seem more dense and pedestrian friendly. I agree whole heartedly but I think it will take the an increase in residents to make these new streets viable. For instance the road that runs just south of Gallivan and east of Wells Fargo, there are those nice retail locations on that street but they have always struggled, due to the fact that the east end of the street dumps onto State in an odd location and people are simply used to the grid system as it currently is.

[T-Mac]

Originally Posted by jmonkey

Photo taken by me, Nov. 12, 2007

That is what was under the first facade.

I wonder if it still looks anything like this under all that crap.

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Which one is the "Jetsons" building that people keep referring to? I'm trying to follow along, but...huh?

Actually, I think that they are referring to this:



...and for the record I think that it is awesome. If I'm not mistaken I think that the LDS church owns the building now. Wasn't this SLCC's original downtown location?
I think that this is the building discussed here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645197286,00.html

[delts145]

Urbanboy, don't misunderstand me.

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

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.
recently refurbished Ken Garff Tower on Main


this come down to your opinon vs. my opinion. I never siad that towers on these sites should not be pedestrian friendly. I think they should be very pedestrian oriented, but I also believe that these are prime areas to build density because of their proximity to traxx, temple square, gallivan, CCC, arts district, harmons, salt palace, etc. this is the heart of DT. If you can show me a historic facade underneath that police building then show me. That jetson's building is a mistake in my opinion. All I said is I would much rather see those two go than see the Bennon Jeweler's building go, or see the zion's bank building moved as you would have done. That is a true mistake. We all know that development is coming in the future years. It is important to see only the undesirable stock of buildings go, and not the gems be replaced in their stead. In a perfect world I would have no building go because they all tell a story, but since we don't live in such a fantasy land we have to make choices. With these choices come responsability of making sustainable choices. Please do not misinterpret my words. I am not the one in charges of these choices so alll I can do is state my opnion on what I would rather see go first. that is all.

Police Headquarters/Public Safety Building

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by jmonkey

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.

Hopefully this is still intact underneath the metal facade:

[RC14]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

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.

You make a good point about the One Utah Center.
I would like to see more density in the skyline but even more I would like to see more vitality on Main St. I like what 222 South Main is doing with retail along Main St. and keeping with the general theme along that side of the street. Hopefully it won't turn out to be as lifeless as the One utah Center seems to be.

[RC14]

^
^
Looking at that picture, I don't unerstand why anyone would have ever wanted to replace such architecture with a boring metal fecade. I hope todays architecture dosn't turn out to be as ugly in the future as this 1950's-1970's crap did.

Sorry for the dubble post, arkhitektor posted at the same time as me.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

Actually, I think that they are referring to this:



...and for the record I think that it is awesome. If I'm not mistaken I think that the LDS church owns the building now. Wasn't this SLCC's original downtown location?
I think that this is the building discussed here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645197286,00.html

I don't like that building. It used to be home for SLCC. I think the church bought the building because they need that land for that Glass Tower.

[Comrade]

I think that building on Main Street is butt ugly. There is nothing redeeming about the style and reminds me of something you would find in Eastern Europe during the Stalin era.

Now what would look really good there is a 20-something story residential glass tower. Something that isn't too big, but fits perectly into that spot.

As for the other two smaller buildings on Main that were reclad, the historical facade of both isn't anything to write home about, so it wouldn't be a terrible loss if they were demolished.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

Hopefully this is still intact underneath the metal facade:

I've been inside the Dinwoody Bldg and it has a little charm on the upper floors, of course I was dark but I could see that it had some major potential, from what I could tell there is some great architectural detail in the interior as well. If the exterior is still like this picture I am all for ripping off the face and restoring it to this.

I know Zions is occupying the newly refurbished Kennocott Building but maybe as the city gets bigger and their assest continue to grow they will decide that it is time to be the biggest bank on the block, so to say, and also decide to consolidate more of their opperations. While their updated digs are nice I would have to say that Wells Fargo has the premier tower in the city. Banks tend to have the mine is bigger than yours attitude sometimes, so maybe zions will decide it's time to be the tallest around and build their own new tallest. It's interesting to think that in 25 years the new tallest may very well be nowhere near Main St between S. Temple and 4th S. I could be a block or two maybe even three away from main.

[UTPlanner]

FutureMayor, I definitely agree with what you said about the "mindset of banks." They definitely love to compete. Look what happened in Provo. Well Fargo built their tower and now Zions Bank is stepping in with bigger and better. I think it will be a few years before they move out of their current digs, especially in that today's business climate has not been favorable for banks.

I personally think this would be a great time to move out because the refurbished building is new, its better than ever and should lease at a very high rate.

[Comrade]

If I recall, Zions Bank was set to build its headquarters on the corner of Main Street and 100 South, on the block where the original bank is located. I'm not sure how tall that building would have been, but they decided to just stay in the newly refurbished Gateway East Tower.

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

Hopefully this is still intact underneath the metal facade:

that is not the building I was refering to. I was referring to the building to the right (north) which was the police station. This building that is in this picture is beautiful and an entirely different building!

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

Actually, I think that they are referring to this:



...and for the record I think that it is awesome. If I'm not mistaken I think that the LDS church owns the building now. Wasn't this SLCC's original downtown location?
I think that this is the building discussed here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645197286,00.html

yes that is the Jetson's building I was reffering to. I just don't like that building. Like I said earlier, in a perfect world all buildings would be saved. All I really said is I would rather see this building and the police building (which was confused with a building I would love to see stay) go than see the beautiful zions bank building moved from its historic location, or the Bennon Jewelers building demolished.
To Delts:

I don't really understand what the purpose of your post was where you quoted me quoting urbanboy and then my following comment and posting pictures of the PSB and Ken Garf Building. If you remember, I was an advocate for both of these buildings.

[Comrade]

This is what I'd like to see on that site with the Jetson's building:

Probably not as tall, but it gives you an idea.

[DMTower]

I have been inside the loft above that small police station and I can tell you that building has nothing worth saving. Any historical features have long since been replaced with tacky, cheap remodeling and the place is about ready to fall in on itself. Also, if you look closely at the picture of the original facade, it projects out slightly past the building to its left.. in the new pictures it doesn't project, it's flush.. which pretty much means the original facade is gone.