Salt Lake MSA Development Thread - Page 133

UTPlanner · #**2641** Posted **May 11, 2011, 3:23 PM**

Tech companies seem to be one segment of the economy that does not particularly enjoy having their headquarters located in a downtown area. I'm not exactly sure why but I don't think it is purely the cost of construction or land. These companies are literally worth billions. It also certainly isn't a purely Utah problem. If we look at Microsoft, Ebay, Google or Apple. They are all located in suburban locales. Even IBM which is located in Armonk, NY which is a village of 3,461.

I think that this would make an interesting study as to why these companies have not desired a truly urban headquarters.

SLC Projects · #**2642** Posted **May 11, 2011, 3:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

With Adobe, they were already headquartered in Orem, so moving that far north was going to isolate many of their employees. In that circumstance I can understand a bit.

They could move to downtown Provo. Just down the street. Provo could use more midrise to even a highrise building.

Future Mayor · #**2643** Posted **May 11, 2011, 5:36 PM**

For Adobe there were always only two choices, Lehi or South SL Valley.

scottharding · #**2644** Posted **May 11, 2011, 6:05 PM**

I wonder if that fad is simply because the tech companies really began in the Silicon Valley, which is very suburban. For an industry like information technology and software, when they're start-ups, their first spaces are often larger warehouses. This was the case with Pixar. They needed space for servers and stuff and most office space wasn't suitable in the early 90's. My guess is that these origins sort became their natures.

SLCdude · #**2645** Posted **May 12, 2011, 3:34 AM**

South Jordan Health Center (Daybreak)

TonyAnderson · #**2646** Posted **May 12, 2011, 4:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottharding

I wonder if that fad is simply because the tech companies really began in the Silicon Valley, which is very suburban. For an industry like information technology and software, when they're start-ups, their first spaces are often larger warehouses. This was the case with Pixar. They needed space for servers and stuff and most office space wasn't suitable in the early 90's. My guess is that these origins sort became their natures.

I was thinking something similar. Tech companies have really only been around since suburbs have ruled and cities have declined. Plus, many tech companies have always had this culture of anti-establishment and perhaps they view big, corporate downtown buildings as being a part of that.

Future Mayor · #**2647** Posted **May 12, 2011, 5:07 AM**

I hope that Electronic Arts can start to reverse that trend a little bit at least in SLC, with it's downtown SLC office. Maybe other game and tech companies will follow suit.

Stenar · #**2648** Posted **May 13, 2011, 12:46 AM**

RSL broke ground today on a practice field in Sandy at 10000 South and State St.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/201...ca-first-field

SLC Projects · #**2649** Posted **May 13, 2011, 12:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stenar

RSL broke ground today on a practice field in Sandy at 10000 South and State St.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/201...ca-first-field

Yay for rsl. Makes sense for them to have a field here just down the road from rio tinto so they don't have to drive all the way down to lehi.

Future Mayor · #**2650** Posted **May 13, 2011, 3:26 PM**

I'm surprised Sandy let them build it there, that doesn't seem to fit in with their other/new downtown master plan.

scottharding · #**2651** Posted **May 13, 2011, 5:30 PM**

Looks great tucked in there next to a trailer park. What a vibrant downtown Sandy has. Surely it will soon be home to Utah's tallest bulding.

scottharding · #**2652** Posted **May 13, 2011, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I hope that Electronic Arts can start to reverse that trend a little bit at least in SLC, with it's downtown SLC office. Maybe other game and tech companies will follow suit.

I think that's possible. Video games and interactive media are getting a lot more respect these days. (LA Noir is a new game that just debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. The Writer's Guild of America has created a new contract and award for video game writing), so I suspect that as the world views that industry as more than just mindless entertainment, the industry will see themselves as more of a serious player in the world-wide market.
Not that video games haven't been making a ton of money for decades now, but the more crossover there is with consoles also being home PC's, and media players, the less their target audience is basement-dwelling single males.
Long story short, the gaming industry is changing, and it's fair to hope that the change will include where and how they function.

arkhitektor · #**2653** Posted **May 13, 2011, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottharding

Looks great tucked in there next to a trailer park. What a vibrant downtown Sandy has. Surely it will soon be home to Utah's tallest bulding.

I was about to say the same thing. I can't believe that they actually rendered the entire trailer park in 3D. That must have been the highlight of someone's day.

tygr · #**2654** Posted **May 13, 2011, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

I was about to say the same thing. I can't believe that they actually rendered the entire trailer park in 3D. That must have been the highlight of someone's day.

Not to mention that they players will get to use porta-potties when it's done.

arkhitektor · #**2655** Posted **May 13, 2011, 9:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I'm surprised Sandy let them build it there, that doesn't seem to fit in with their other/new downtown master plan.

I'm pretty sure Sandy's policy is "anyone can build anything anywhere" (except UTA)

SLC Projects · #**2656** Posted **May 14, 2011, 1:20 AM**

I'm starting to lose my faith in sandy city. I've always gave them the benefit of a doubt that they would develop a urban city core, but there proposals never came true or what ever has been develop is so spead out that none of its walkable and we still have to use our cars for everything.

TonyAnderson · #**2657** Posted **May 15, 2011, 1:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stenar

RSL broke ground today on a practice field in Sandy at 10000 South and State St.

http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/201...ca-first-field

I don't like this. The soccer players won't have enough parking.

SLC Projects · #**2658** Posted **May 15, 2011, 2:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

I don't like this. The soccer players won't have enough parking.

There's enough parking. There's the parking lot just west behind the two story retail building that still stands empty. Or there's the city hall parking lot. One thing for sure that area doesn't need any more parking lots. I think the players will be fine.

Stenar · #**2659** Posted **May 15, 2011, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I'm starting to lose my faith in sandy city. I've always gave them the benefit of a doubt that they would develop a urban city core, but there proposals never came true or what ever has been develop is so spead out that none of its walkable and we still have to use our cars for everything.

I've never had any faith in Sandy city. Their proposals were pie in the sky and before that, they've just built anything anywhere with no planning whatsoever.

SLC Projects · #**2660** Posted **May 15, 2011, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stenar

I've never had any faith in Sandy city. Their proposals were pie in the sky and before that, they've just built anything anywhere with no planning whatsoever.

I know you didn't. Alot of people on here don't like Sandy city. And up to now I've always defended Sandy giving them the benefit of a doubt that things will get better. Watching Sandy city's so called downtown development is like watching a bad movie as you keep telling yourself "It's going to get better" only to watch the full movie with disappointment. That's how I'm starting to feel about Sandy City.