Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[Sight-Seer]

I like the current courthouse design. It's lost its "borg cube" look. The upper windows look like jewels. In fact it resembles an enormous crown. It's interesting how they incorporated the security wall into the design. Nobody's going to drive very close to this building, even with a tank. Speaking of security, it also has a very fortress-like look.

[scottharding]

I also agree Urbanboy. Sure, Salt Lake needs more infill, but I also think we're overdue for a signature tower, between 500 and 600 feet. I still think that corner where the Carl's Jr. sits would be ideal. It would be appropriate if our signature tower were the Utah World Trade Center.
So is there a projected start date for the new courthouse to begin construction? I haven't heard, and I'm really hoping we're not gonna be looking at another vacant lot for a year or so.

[wrendog]

UB, yes, most of us would like to see a new signature tower, but, like scottharding said, something in the 500-600 foot range would be ideal right now. Most of your proposals are 1000 ft bohemoths that wouldn't be a great fit right now.

[NYC Rick]

Originally Posted by wrendog

UB, yes, most of us would like to see a new signature tower, but, like scottharding said, something in the 500-600 foot range would be ideal right now. Most of your proposals are 1000 ft bohemoths that wouldn't be a great fit right now.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by wrendog

UB, yes, most of us would like to see a new signature tower, but, like scottharding said, something in the 500-600 foot range would be ideal right now. Most of your proposals are 1000 ft bohemoths that wouldn't be a great fit right now.

They're really not as tall as you think they are... they're perhaps no taller than any of the buildings in Minneapolis. Bohemoth buildings that look out of place is all part of growing pains in a city's evolution. When the IDS Tower in Minneapolis was constructed it also looked a little out of place. But like I said that's a normal part of an american city coming of age. Take a look:








Minneapolis' skyline today:

[Future Mayor]

I have always thought that there could be a better design for the new courthouse, but if this is the design we are getting I like this recent rendering. It's amazing how much just a few windows (the jewels) can change the entire look of a building.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Stenar

There are millions of s.f. of office space outside downtown.

I agree. Think of the big office developments in the suburbs that have really grown in the last two decades: 1) Cottonwood Corporate Center? ( located at Knudsen's Corner on I-215 and just down from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon); 2) Fort Union and the stretch of I-215 from State Street to Union Park Avenue; 3) downtown Sandy (including Jordan Commons, and all the office buildings along I-15 from 90th south to 106th south); and 4) the new and huge office complex in the Jordan River basin on 106th south.

Most of these buildings are 5 to 7 stories, and there have been probably 10 to 20 of these types built within the last 15 years or so. On top of that, they are usually twice as wide as a downtown office building. So, one 5 story office building can sometime equate to 10 stories of office building downtown SLC.

[Orlando]

I mentioned earlier that I have a pdf file of new renderings and maps of all the projects going on at the U. I gave it to someone to post here, but they are MIA. So, would someone else like to post them on here? I am not able to. So, just private message me with your email adress.

[Orlando]

We need to wake up Viperlord. He has always been able to find new information for us development addicts. Viperlord, come out, come out wherever you are!

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by Orlando

I mentioned earlier that I have a pdf file of new renderings and maps of all the projects going on at the U. I gave it to someone to post here, but they are MIA. So, would someone else like to post them on here? I am not able to. So, just private message me with your email adress.

Here they are:

[Orlando]

Thanks, Architektor! cool projects! That new business building looks pretty funky! I wish we could see more renderings of the design. I really like the Pharmacy addition and the Huntsman addition.

[Jumpur]

Alright, so if any of you remember, about a month ago on Google Earth, a new- yet completely fake- skyscraper was posted and is now displayed as part as Salt Lake's skyline. So, because it's a faulty error, I figured it would be gone by now. Nope! It's still there, but not only that because ANOTHER one has been added. Yup.

It's called The Arms on 3rd and, according to the description, it's a residential tower that looks to be about 450ft tall. This tower is supposedly built upon the parking lot on 300 W in between 200 and 300 south. What is with all these fake and nonexistent towers being placed in Salt Lake City on Google Earth? And what nut-case is creating them when they obviously know it's fake? Also, what nut-case is approving them? Google should be more on top of things.

However, it is slightly entertaining to see what the city looks like with two 450 plus footers (Triad Center One is about 550ft). Maybe more will be added in the near future. Go ahead and check Google Earth out for yourself. If you don't have the program, get it. If you're too stubborn or lazy to do so, here's a sample...

[Orlando]

The Delta Center looks squashed. That height can't be right. It's about equivalent to 10 stories high.

[Orlando]

They don't show up in mine. ??

[Jumpur]

Originally Posted by Orlando

They don't show up in mine. ??

Do you have 3D Buildings clicked?

[John Martin]

Originally Posted by Orlando

The Delta Center looks squashed. That height can't be right. It's about equivalent to 10 stories high.

It looks right to me.

[SLCdude]

I haven't been here in a while so I have to catch up a little...

I remember reading somewhere (probably this forum) that Salt Lake City buildings can't exceed a certain height because it is built on sand. Is this true? I mean, Dubai is built on sand as well but you don't see them cutting their heights down.

And about a very tall skyscraper in Salt Lake, I would like to see one around 500-550 feet tall. More than that, in my opinion, would be pushing it. That building in Minneapolis was built, but that doesn't mean people were happy about it.

P.S. : Thanks for posting the U of U renderings!

[Future Mayor]

No there is no limits because of soil materials, and there is no restriction based on being taller or appearing taller than the COB. The reason SLC doesn't have a taller taller is pure economics. There has been no need for a taller tower to be built, no corporate headquarters has warranted it and there isn't enough pent up demand of smaller businesses to warrant it. We'll get it, all in due time.

[Orlando]

Hey guys, some potentially bad news for 222. Goldman Sachs has finally been charged with fraud. Their shares dropped by 13% today. Their VP made off with billions of dollars. etc. It's a side story, but it could affect 222 and all our hope for filling office space. Personally, I'm glad that someone is finally getting sacked for all the Wall Street greed that has been going on while the feds have provided stimulus money to them.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/16/news/companies/sec.goldman.fortune/index.htm?hpt=T1

[urbanboy]

Some cool angles of Downtown on google earth: