Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[SLC Projects]

Comrade just gave some really good examples of what I DON'T want to see on main street. Alot of those look more like "Basketball arenas" then "Theaters" We don't need that on main. Something like that would look better out west near the gateway and ESA, but no way would those designs would work on main street.

[jedikermit]

Future Mayor and Delts, you're probably right about all of those things. I clearly have no training or experience in architecture or urban planning or much of anything; I'm a layman. I enjoy Salt Lake City, I enjoy architecture, but I don't always know the principles behind it. I appreciate the pointing out of why the building's design is as boxy as it is (thanks, Future Mayor), instead of just rapturously praising it.

As a clueless but willing to learn layman, I was just basing my opinions and initial reactions off of what we'd been shown and told up until a few weeks ago when the design was displayed. Those preconceived notions and buildup to see a "gem" ended with a bit more denouement than I would have liked. And I'm guessing other layfolk are feeling the same way, if they've paid attention to what's going on at all, which may be unlikely.

Anyway. I'm still glad it's coming. It'll be good. I'm excited. I'm just not rubbing my friends in other cities noses in it the way I would have been with a different design. Because I'm a jerk like that.

[jedikermit]

Aaaand, in completely unrelated, but awesome news, it looks like they may be taking down the facade of the old Zims building on State Street, uncovering the much nicer facade underneath; look at those arched windows seeing the sun again!



Photo Credit: DerrickSLC

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

That Holland PAC in Omaha looks awfully similar to what we're getting. That's probably just my architectural cluelessness and superficiality speaking.

I know the site limits the design, and perhaps my ideas were unrealistic. After seeing some great public architecture like the main library and public safety building, I may have been expecting less boxy, more foxy.

It's very similar. However, there is limited street interaction and I think that's what sets SLC's apart from Omaha's - plus, it looks less like a trailer and more like a building.

[Lilljemalm]

Here are some thoughts about the UPAC and other cities' art centers from a complete novice --- I like the design of the UPAC so far. It's glass facade is open and inviting; I want to go in and see a play. It's location will encourage new restaurants, pubs and a few shops to open to the south on Main and maybe to on 100 S and 200 S. It's design doesn't slap me in the face or nauseate me. It does not detract from the rest of downtown. I look forward to seeing designs of the interior space - stage, auditoriums, lobby, etc. The interior will make it or break it in the world of theatre.
Some (but not all) of the designs from other cities that you guys posted as comparisons I find to be gaudy or ugly. Kansas City's comes across as gaudy and overwhelming, even in the open area it sits in; it reminds me of an engine block. It does not invite me in. They obviously wanted to impress, but it's blank gray curved walls and bulk turn me off. Omaha's dark gray makes me think eastern block wharehouse or high school building. Portland's exterior makes me think apartment building. I like St. Paul's. I do hope you get a sleek and taaaalll tower from Hamilton. The one in Dayton doesn't meld too well with the arts center there.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Aaaand, in completely unrelated, but awesome news, it looks like they may be taking down the facade of the old Zims building on State Street, uncovering the much nicer facade underneath; look at those arched windows seeing the sun again!



Photo Credit: DerrickSLC

YES!! One of the ugliest facades in SLC bites the dust!!!! Do we have any renders of what to expect? This is awesome news!!

[slc801]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Aaaand, in completely unrelated, but awesome news, it looks like they may be taking down the facade of the old Zims building on State Street, uncovering the much nicer facade underneath; look at those arched windows seeing the sun again!



Photo Credit: DerrickSLC

AWESOME!!!!! That makes me so happy. I HATE that building right now, and have wanted to see it restored. I think it has the potential to look really nice and add some great historic character to State Street. Now if they could only do the same thing to the building just south of the future Cascade at City Creek (at least I think thats what it is called. I believe it is the building owned by Zion's Bank)

[delts145]

...HAPPY DAYS...UNBELIEVABLY GOOD NEWS

[SLC Projects]

Nice, now let's add the flag pole back to the top of the building like in the old picture.

[delts145]

Does it look like they might have to add back the top of that center?

[delts145]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Aaaand, in completely unrelated, but awesome news, it looks like they may be taking down the facade of the old Zims building on State Street, uncovering the much nicer facade underneath; look at those arched windows seeing the sun again!



Photo Credit: DerrickSLC

I zoomed my screen up to 400 percent. I can't wait to see that beautiful facade again. And yes, hopefully this is a good indicator for the future of Dinwoody's.

[DMTower]

^^^
^^^Yes... it looks like they chopped it off. I hope they restore it.

[ajiuO]

That is awesome!!! Now we just need some infill across the street.

I wish they would do that to some of the buildings on Main between 100-200

[delts145]

AjiuO, I can't remember, but what else besides the old Pantages facade is there left to uncover? How many separate building facades are left on that west side?

[ajiuO]

Im sure most of the stuff on the east side is being demolished.. I should take a second look. There is the braza express (currently out of business I think.

The base of the SLT building needed some serious help... And is getting it. The base of the former bay leaf could use some serious work.. The top is not covered.. But could still be cleaned up.

I know there are some items on the east side that could use a bit of work..

The worst looking building are the ones north of the SLT building... They are all going to be ripped down.. So they don't really matter

[ajiuO]

I tried to grab a couple of more shots. The building looks like it is in pretty bad shape. I hope they really are going to restore it and not just cover it up with something else. Looking at the Old photos that someone posted.. It looks liek the building was originally brick.. Its not brick under that stucco.. In fact if you look close. It looks as though there is no exterior cladding at all. it looks like framing with the Interior plaster boards on the inside.. I hope they can fix this.

Does anyone have any front on photos of the original front?

[ajiuO]

Here are The Eastside Apartments.. I'm sorry but this building goes well beyond ugly stucco apartment. This thing is just ghetto looking.. and when I say "ghetto" I mean that literally. It looks like something out of the projects from the 1960's.. HAHA.. it even has gang tagging on it already. The photo actually does it a lot of justice... It looks much worse in person. I think a lot of the newer apartment building look kind of fugly.. but I would rather have them there then nothing... This thing gives me such a bad ghetto projects vibe.. That I would rather have nothing there... Sorry :-(

[DCRes]

The eastside apartments are different, but I think i like them.

[ajiuO]

They are really not different. They are basically solid stucco with plastic looking trim pieces between the stucco panels.. very plain looking.. The trim and coloring give it the real housing projects look... They don't fit in at all in contrast with what is in front of them along 400 south... they look bad.

I really hope this building collapses before anyone moves in... It has a really bad vibe to it... I think the city will regret this building in 10-15 years.. it probably will become a housing project if that isn't its intent already

I like mixed income housing with quality construction.... this thing boosted cowboy properties up about 26 levels in my book :/

[ajiuO]

We need more unique looking buildings... like this.. HAHA