Speaking of the Shilo Inn, I was reading an article the other day about the Dooly Building, which for those of you who
don't already know, was the historic structure that preceded the Shilo. It was particularly significant in that it was
designed by one of America's foremost architectural founding fathers, Louis Sullivan. Here's that article. I know it will
make some of you very sad, that such a jewel could be so easily discarded. Let's be grateful that this kind of short
sighted stupidity isn't the norm as it was in the 50's. Someday, if dreams come true, I'm going to rebuild this structure.
Also, notice the beautiful Hotel, which was to be constructed next to the Dooly, but never rose beyond it's foundation.
Also of note, the Dooly was the home of the Alta Club, before it's current site. This was an extremely opulent
structure inside, that would have been one of the CBD's crown jewels today, had it remained intact and restored.
(Dooly building on the right shown in context with Hotel Ontario to the left. The Inland Architect
and News Record, Nov 1891, Vol XVIII, No. 4)
@...http://saltlakearchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/03/dooly-building.html
The Dooly building (often called Dooly block) is one of the most significant architectural buildings built in Salt Lake.
The building was designed by the Chicago firm of Adler & Sullivan, of which Louis Sullivan, of skyscraper fame, was
the designer.This building design played a role in the development of the skyscraper. “And in the extruded arches of
the 1890 Dooly Block, Sullivan recessed the spandrels, taking the piers almost straight from top to bottom. From here to
the skyscraper was not a giant step.” (Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work, page 292) Designed in beautiful context with
the Ontario Hotel, the two were to rise together. Fortunately, when the Ontario Hotel never materialized past
the foundations, the Dooly building was actually completed in 1892. Located on 200 South and West Temple, the building
met an early and unfortunate demolition in 1965.
Richard Nickel, a photographer from Chicago fought valiantly to save the Dooly building, but ultimately failed. He
was, however, successful in documenting both this building and the Ontario hotel foundations in photographs which are
in possession of 'The Richard Nickel Committee and Archive'. (They all Fall Down, page 85) As of today, I have been unable
to obtain access to any of these images.
“Nickel fought any way he could. To Salt Lake City mayor J. Bracken Lee, Nickel protested plans to tear down Sullivan’s
Dooly Block. ‘How many buildings of equal architectural merit do you have in Salt Lake City? Instead of being proud of
this building, you ignore it. Instead of offering tax relief to the owner, or cleaning the neighborhood up, the city
government is silent.’” (They All Fall Down, page 134)
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. First we need to look at the building from construction through to completion and
then to demolition. The book 'Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work' compares the Dooly building design to that of the
landmark Wainwright Building of St. Louis. “Wainwright an almost exact contemporary of the Dooly Block in Salt Lake City,
in many ways a similar edifice, which Adler & Sullivan completed in December.” (page 286)
Presented below is a newspaper timeline of the Dooly building from the Salt Lake Tribune. From it we learn that
Utah architect, Richard Kletting who designed the State Capitol, drew the construction documents for the building after
it was designed by Adler & Sullivan. We also learn that the building will be home to a bank, post office, Alta club
w/restaurant and fireplace, two elevators, and many offices. If only the images of the building weren't black and white,
we would be able to see the beautiful red sandstone used, similar to that of the Wainwright building.
NEWSPAPER TIMELINE
The Dooly Building
Mr. Dooly expects to break ground for the new post office in a day or two. He is waiting for the completion of the plans
of the street grade. (Salt Lake Tribune 13 Aug 1890)[/B]
R. Kletting has just completed the drawings and working plans for the Dooly building on Second South and West
Temple streets to the order of Adler & Sullivan, the Chicago architects, who deputed him to do this work. The post office
and the bank will be on the first floor, while the other five floors will be given over for business offices, about 180 in all.
The contract will be given out in a short time. (Salt Lake Tribune 14 Sep 1890)
The Dooly Excavation
Excavating for the Dooly building will be finished within a few days. Work on the foundation has already begun.
(Salt Lake Tribune 01 Oct 1890)
Photographs of the Dooly building have been made. They show that it will be a decided ornament to the town.
(Salt Lake Tribune 07 Oct 1890)
The bids for the construction of the Dooly Block were opened yesterday. The Probst Construction Company are said to
be the successful bidders. (Salt Lake Tribune 16 Apr 1891)
The contract was signed yesterday for the completion of the Dooly building with the Probst Construction Company to
be completed in ten months. The building is to be of Diamond Creek stone, six stories high, two elevators and with all
modern improvements. (Salt Lake Tribune 21 Apr 1891)
Work is progressing rapidly on the Dooly building. The stone columns for the first story are up and the second-joists will
be down in a few days. The big steam derricks are constantly at work, the men are busy and the building will be pushed
until []. (Salt Lake Tribune 17 Jun 1891)
Here is Sullivan's Wainwright Building in St. Louis. It was mentioned in the above article as being finished in the same
red sandstone as The Dooly in Salt Lake City. So, we can get an idea of the beautiful presentation that that building
would be making on the corner that is now occupied by the Shilo.
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