Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[H4vok]

[SLCdude]

Up until moments ago, I had no idea the Zions Bank Tower was once Gateway Tower East. I thought Gateway Tower East was demolished and the Zions Bank Tower was built in it's place. Amazing renovation!

[Sight-Seer]

I was dismayed to find that the old mansion I lived in when I first moved to Salt Lake 30 years ago has been demolished. At the time it was a boarding house for young men owned and run by a former Miss USA. It was located on 7th East between 1st and 2nd South. It was 3 or 4 stories tall and had beautiful woodwork. As I drove by I noticed there is a gaping hole where it once stood. I don't see why it was destroyed, because nothing is being constructed in its place. Its location on 7th East makes it largely unsuitable as a family dwelling, so its days were numbered. Evidently the destruction of Salt Lake's architectural treasures continues. Downtown Salt Lake was once full of beautiful old homes, some of them irreplacable archectural gems.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by John Martin

shakmansaywhaaaaaat?

I also said "saywhaaaaaat" when I read it. Look closely (more like squint) at the Downtown Rising diagram posted delts. The blurb of words on the lower left - second one in from the bottom left corner.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by shakman

I also said "saywhaaaaaat" when I read it. Look closely (more like squint) at the Downtown Rising diagram posted delts. The blurb of words on the lower left - second one in from the bottom left corner.

Shak, we have always known there will be a retractable roof.. Watch the project video and you will see it in action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aWUYXB3GY8&feature=player_embedded#!

Check at about 35 secs...

[shakman]

I missed the retractable roof portion. Thanks for the video link. Great idea none-the-less.

In, addition, what would possibly be even better is if the area beneath the retractable roof could have a closed-in conditioned environment during inclement weather. (or did I miss that as well? ) True it does bring back the "enclosed" mall concept from the past however only during inclement weather.

[DMTower]

I would prefer it if they would throw away the retractable roof altogether. It destroys the city street feeling of the open blocks and creates a psychological barrier IMO. You don't see them covering up all of the streets in Manhattan, and people still shop there.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by Sight-Seer

I was dismayed to find that the old mansion I lived in when I first moved to Salt Lake 30 years ago has been demolished. At the time it was a boarding house for young men owned and run by a former Miss USA. It was located on 7th East between 1st and 2nd South. It was 3 or 4 stories tall and had beautiful woodwork. As I drove by I noticed there is a gaping hole where it once stood. I don't see why it was destroyed, because nothing is being constructed in its place. Its location on 7th East makes it largely unsuitable as a family dwelling, so its days were numbered. Evidently the destruction of Salt Lake's architectural treasures continues. Downtown Salt Lake was once full of beautiful old homes, some of them irreplacable archectural gems.

It was destoyed by fire. The house was vacant for some time. There were two fires. The first one caused repairable damage. The second one (happened maybe three years ago) left it in a state beyond repair; it was structurally destroyed beyond repair.

[scottharding]

I don't have a problem with the retractable roof. It will be pretty cool, and it will be unique to our city. In only covers a portion of the retail on either side of the street. This project brings so much downtown, I hardly think a transparent, removable roof over a portion of the property will take away from it.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by DMTower

I would prefer it if they would throw away the retractable roof altogether. It destroys the city street feeling of the open blocks and creates a psychological barrier IMO. You don't see them covering up all of the streets in Manhattan, and people still shop there.

I understand your concerns. Yes, it does give a slight "suburbia" feel of an enclosed mall. In a sense it somewhat defeats the purpose of giving an open feel as envisioned however let's look at it this way, during weather inclement weather, people can still shop with ease in this particular area with the retractable roof.

It also gives a little niche to the development, especially since (I believe) having a retractable roof over retail is something never done before in the States.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by scottharding

I don't have a problem with the retractable roof. It will be pretty cool, and it will be unique to our city. In only covers a portion of the retail on either side of the street. This project brings so much downtown, I hardly think a transparent, removable roof over a portion of the property will take away from it.

I agree. The roof is nothing to care much about. If there is a "psychological barrier" it is the fact that it is very distinctly a private development, with private streets. It will not be mistaken for public streets. I think as far as private developments go, this one could hardly be made to interface more seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

The real test will be over the next ten to twenty years, whether this development creates more activity around it (and people) or if it is a drain on the surrounding commerce. I hope for the former.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by shakman

I understand your concerns. Yes, it does give a slight "suburbia" feel of an enclosed mall. In a sense it somewhat defeats the purpose of giving an open feel as envisioned however let's look at it this way, during weather inclement weather, people can still shop with ease in this particular area with the retractable roof.

It also gives a little niche to the development, especially since (I believe) having a retractable roof over retail is something never done before in the States.

I still think the project will be great, and hugely successful... I just think in an ideal situation, where the whole thing weren't owned by one company with stakeholders, that it would feel a lot more authentic if it were open like the rest of the project. That said, the roof will be a cool "ooh/ahhh" feature.

[TonyAnderson]

So from the updated PDF posted earlier, it looks like no apartments on the other block.

[TANGELD_SLC]

World Industrial Banking Center


Salt Lake City is the industrial banking capital of the world, so my proposal is this; capitalize on the fact that these companies are already here, get all of the industrial banking offices OUT of the suburbs and into downtown, creating an image to the rest of the world that we are not only a GREAT place to do business, but simply THE best!


Take an entire SLC block and dedicate it to this development. I propose four SLIM towers, one for each corner and one of which should be the new city tallest. I'm thinking 2 350+ footers, a 450+ footer and a 600+ footer. There would be a circular plaza in the middle of the block with retail and eateries, covered by an intricate open-air steel lattice dome in the style of the SLC Olympic Medals Plaza.


I know I'm being completely speculative and pipe-dreamy, but I want to know what you guys think about such a development, where it would work best and what kind of moving and shaking would have to come about to make it into a reality.


Let the dreaming ensue!

[skierforlife17]

Cool Story Hansel!

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

World Industrial Banking Center


Salt Lake City is the industrial banking capital of the world, so my proposal is this; capitalize on the fact that these companies are already here, get all of the industrial banking offices OUT of the suburbs and into downtown, creating an image to the rest of the world that we are not only a GREAT place to do business, but simply THE best!


Take an entire SLC block and dedicate it to this development. I propose four SLIM towers, one for each corner and one of which should be the new city tallest. I'm thinking 2 350+ footers, a 450+ footer and a 600+ footer. There would be a circular plaza in the middle of the block with retail and eateries, covered by an intricate open-air steel lattice dome in the style of the SLC Olympic Medals Plaza.


I know I'm being completely speculative and pipe-dreamy, but I want to know what you guys think about such a development, where it would work best and what kind of moving and shaking would have to come about to make it into a reality.


Let the dreaming ensue!

[gemery]

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

World Industrial Banking Center


Salt Lake City is the industrial banking capital of the world, so my proposal is this; capitalize on the fact that these companies are already here, get all of the industrial banking offices OUT of the suburbs and into downtown, creating an image to the rest of the world that we are not only a GREAT place to do business, but simply THE best!


Take an entire SLC block and dedicate it to this development. I propose four SLIM towers, one for each corner and one of which should be the new city tallest. I'm thinking 2 350+ footers, a 450+ footer and a 600+ footer. There would be a circular plaza in the middle of the block with retail and eateries, covered by an intricate open-air steel lattice dome in the style of the SLC Olympic Medals Plaza.


I know I'm being completely speculative and pipe-dreamy, but I want to know what you guys think about such a development, where it would work best and what kind of moving and shaking would have to come about to make it into a reality.


Let the dreaming ensue!

OK, I'll admit that I don't know much on the subject, but is it true that SLC's the world capital of industrial banking? That seems a little out of proportion to me ... but that's the guy talking who didn't realize the US was the most powerful country until he was a sophomore in high school (before that, I just thought it was all patriotic propaganda )

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by gemery

OK, I'll admit that I don't know much on the subject, but is it true that SLC's the world capital of industrial banking? That seems a little out of proportion to me ... but that's the guy talking who didn't realize the US was the most powerful country until he was a sophomore in high school (before that, I just thought it was all patriotic propaganda )

7 of the top 10 US Industrial Banks are in Utah:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_loan_company

Industrial banks keep a much lower profile than other banks, and aren't typically the type to set up shop in glamorous downtown locations.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

World Industrial Banking Center


Salt Lake City is the industrial banking capital of the world, so my proposal is this; capitalize on the fact that these companies are already here, get all of the industrial banking offices OUT of the suburbs and into downtown, creating an image to the rest of the world that we are not only a GREAT place to do business, but simply THE best!


Take an entire SLC block and dedicate it to this development. I propose four SLIM towers, one for each corner and one of which should be the new city tallest. I'm thinking 2 350+ footers, a 450+ footer and a 600+ footer. There would be a circular plaza in the middle of the block with retail and eateries, covered by an intricate open-air steel lattice dome in the style of the SLC Olympic Medals Plaza.


I know I'm being completely speculative and pipe-dreamy, but I want to know what you guys think about such a development, where it would work best and what kind of moving and shaking would have to come about to make it into a reality.


Let the dreaming ensue!

Interesting idea, but perhaps not very safe... that many financial institutions in one place? I'm thinking of the movie Fight Club, but who knows what could happen...

[TonyAnderson]

So there was a recent article / study about American city block sizes. Here's a visual of a few of them including Salt Lake City's

http://odd.greatergreaterwashington.org/files/2010/gridposter.pdf

[John Martin]