SLC: Official 222 S Main Construction thread - Page 66

DMTower · #**1301** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 8:55 AM**

I think 222 Main is pretty well designed for its size... If it were bigger I would probably have a problem with the boxy shape, but at that medium size I think it's simplicity makes it sleek and elegant.

delts145 · #**1302** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 12:08 PM**

Very much agreed DMTower. I think it's size and proportion is excellent for that location. I'm also very impressed with the way it's design mixes with it's attractive neighbors. Not everyone will always agree with the positive following that 222 has received in this forum and amongst the CBD. It would seem pretty obvious though that Hamilton has struck an overwhelmingly enthusiastic chord of approval with the design of 222.

I'm getting very excited to see the details begin to emerge from The Regent.

by T-Mac

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Future Mayor · #**1303** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 2:20 PM**

My like of 222 has nothing to do with the height. While the height is nice, it's simply a matter of the simplistic and complimentary design of the building, and how is seems to fit in seamlessly with it's neighbors.

The view of the building from the Gallivan Center is great, you have Wells Fargo on the south and Chase on the north of it. I have to say that this section of Main Street between 200 and 300 S as well as the Gallivan Center is one of the best design urban spaces in the city.

urbanboy · #**1304** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

... I have to say that this section of Main Street between 200 and 300 S as well as the Gallivan Center is one of the best design urban spaces in the city.

Except for the lack of retail space at the base of both the Chase and Wells Fargo Buildings.

East2Westback · #**1305** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 3:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Except for the lack of retail space at the base of both the Chase and Wells Fargo Buildings.

Especially in the business core rarely contains retail. I mean the CCC is going to be the retail center for the entire city and geez it is a whole 2 blocks away.

cololi · #**1306** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 4:20 PM**

Having two malls, with about 1 million square feet of retail, made it impossible for the market to handle additional ground floor retail in close proximity in a downtown the size of SLC. Even with City Creek reducing the retail square footage by 30-40% below what was at the two malls, it is going to be a challenge to get retail into spots. if the market could support more retail, there would not be the retail vacancies in downtown that there are.

But, those buildings should have been designed better to accomodate other active uses. I don't think that the Chase building is nearly as bad as the Wells Fargo Building, mainly due to the overall bulk from the sidewalk of the two. I really cannot stand the Wells Fargo Bldg.

TonyAnderson · #**1307** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 4:47 PM**

delts145 · #**1308** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 4:58 PM**

Fantastic Pic Tony!!!! I love it... This is a perfect example of why I think that Downtown Salt Lake is emerging as a leader in beautiful streetscape.

WeST · #**1309** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 5:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cololi

Having two malls, with about 1 million square feet of retail, made it impossible for the market to handle additional ground floor retail in close proximity in a downtown the size of SLC. Even with City Creek reducing the retail square footage by 30-40% below what was at the two malls, it is going to be a challenge to get retail into spots. if the market could support more retail, there would not be the retail vacancies in downtown that there are.

But, those buildings should have been designed better to accomodate other active uses. I don't think that the Chase building is nearly as bad as the Wells Fargo Building, mainly due to the overall bulk from the sidewalk of the two. I really cannot stand the Wells Fargo Bldg.

I think other retail struggled/es because of the fact that many people were uncomfortable to navigate downtown. People know the suburban retail and how to park etc., but downtown was/is an unknown. Main and other retail can do well if they overcome this gap.

delts145 · #**1310** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 5:18 PM**

Along the line of comments, I would like to see Wells Fargo come up with another stab at something along Main at the street level. Perhaps, with the many new additions downtown now and in the near future, some type of market or retail could work. I know the former market didn't work, I just think they need a better concept.

Stenar · #**1311** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 5:31 PM**

I wonder what Nancy Saxton thinks of 222 now. Previously she said: "It seems to me that one of the things that I would want from a project ... would be to really do something that's interesting to our skyline, to our city," she said. "It seems to me that the emphasis on the glass is interesting, and the night-lighting is very interesting, but in the day it seems to be less than titillating. It's just a square building."

While I agreed with her initial assessment, I think it is more interesting than I originally thought it would be. But I'm not drooling over it, either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cololi

Having two malls, with about 1 million square feet of retail, made it impossible for the market to handle additional ground floor retail in close proximity in a downtown the size of SLC.

I know your comment above was regarding Chase and WF not having ground floor retail, but is retail still a part of the plans for 222?

Councilman Søren Simonsen previously had said he hoped the building could bring restaurants and retail shops that would spark new life on Main Street after daytime workers leave downtown in the evening. Addressing those concerns, Bingham said Hamilton is now working to bring an after-hours restaurant to its retail component.

Future Mayor · #**1312** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 5:51 PM**

I would actually be surprised if they didn't bring in some sort of dining concept on the ground floor. It's in a prime spot, and has other after work hours activities surrounding it. Keys has been very successful, it is close to Capital, trax and Gallivan. That side of the street is somewhat active during the evening. It would be yet another way to tie CCC, the 100 - 200 S block with the Beerhive, Murphy's, Bayleaf and Lambs down to the next block. It would also provide another more upscale dinning option for business lunches.

cololi · #**1313** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stenar

I know your comment above was regarding Chase and WF not having ground floor retail, but is retail still a part of the plans for 222?

Councilman Søren Simonsen previously had said he hoped the building could bring restaurants and retail shops that would spark new life on Main Street after daytime workers leave downtown in the evening. Addressing those concerns, Bingham said Hamilton is now working to bring an after-hours restaurant to its retail component.

As far as I know, this is still the case. But the key is to get the nightime crowds. A restaurant and some retail by themselves are usually not a big enough attractor to get enough people downtown to support them. Night time activity is usually the result of people living downtown, people staying in hotels and people having some other reason to go downtown, something like dinner and a movie, or a concert, play, symphony, etc. Even though some people do go downtown simply to eat, not enough people do this to support the number of establishments that we have.

DMTower · #**1314** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 8:01 PM**

I think with the events at Galivan, the guests at Monaco and Bambara, residents at American Towers, and what is placed at the bottom of 222 Main, that area will form a nice little synergy... throw in some more residential and you've got quite a vital area.

cololi · #**1315** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMTower

I think with the events at Galivan, the guests at Monaco and Bambara, residents at American Towers, and what is placed at the bottom of 222 Main, that area will form a nice little synergy... throw in some more residential and you've got quite a vital area.

That is what I'm talking about. Even more so when you add in Capitol Theater, Sheraton, Shilo, Peery, Marriott Hotels and if the Utah Theater happens, the Broadway Theater happens, more larger conventions happen, etc. Even with City Creek, the area around the Gallivan Traxx station is the best opportunity to alter downtown in a very positive way.

TonyAnderson · #**1316** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 12:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

Along the line of comments, I would like to see Wells Fargo come up with another stab at something along Main at the street level. Perhaps, with the many new additions downtown now and in the near future, some type of market or retail could work. I know the former market didn't work, I just think they need a better concept.

I love how dense and urban it looks there with 222 south main included. Unfortunately there aren't too many places in SLC that look nearly as dense as that.

delts145 · #**1317** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 1:17 AM**

^^^
Then again if you think about it, the photo ops for density are going to increase a great deal as CCC takes shape. Just think how many cool shots will be possible all along different points of Regent and Richards Streets. Also Main, with it's new and more attractive style, complete with tables. Speaking of Main, I can't wait to see the more worthy historic ZCMI facade take it's place again on Main.

TonyAnderson · #**1318** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 2:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

^^^
Then again if you think about it, the photo ops for density are going to increase a great deal as CCC takes shape. Just think how many cool shots will be possible all along different points of Regent and Richards Streets. Also Main, with it's new and more attractive style, complete with tables. Speaking of Main, I can't wait to see the more worthy historic ZCMI facade take it's place again on Main.

Definitely. You know, obviously the construction is great, but at the same time it'll be really nice when the roads and sidewalks are clear from construction and the finished product is visible.

Stenar · #**1319** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 8:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

Definitely. You know, obviously the construction is great, but at the same time it'll be really nice when the roads and sidewalks are clear from construction and the finished product is visible.

That'll never happen. Back in the '50s, my grandmother was visiting SLC, which she did frequently, and commented on how SLC was never finished... meaning that every time she visited there was new construction going on.

In the lead up to the Olympics, people made similar comments to yours above, about how it'll be nice when TRAX, the Gateway, etc. were finished, and now there's CCC... It seems to be ongoing.

delts145 · #**1320** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 10:38 AM**

That is so true Stenar. I've been saying the same thing for a while now too. I would at least like to see the area around CCC and Temple Square left alone for a while after it's finished up. When I say the area around Temple Square, I don't mean those blocks between W. Temple and 300 W. That would be the area I would most like to see redeveloped next. I'm thinking the convention hotel will be a major construction zone too in the near future.

...Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, I guess other than the the Temple Square Campus and CCC I have a lot of places I want to see under development. The more the better.