Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[justiny]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The first Bush recession, 2001-2003.

What firm designed it?

I chose to edit my reply to avoid a political discussion that is not necessary in this forum.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The first Bush recession, 2001-2003.

What firm designed it?

It was very much a real tower. I came across it back in 2002 through a portfolio the designer had created on his website. We kept in contact for a brief period (I can't remember his name, I think it was Scott ... something that began with a B) and eventually news broke in the spring of 2002, from what I remember, that the tower was going forward. The developer behind it was Gene Horbach from E&H Properties, who also developed a great deal of properties in Bellevue, Washington. He died in 2004.

A building was raised (it was a small mid-rise on the corner) and the site prepped, but nothing came of it. For one, Horbach had a falling out with the city over loans to redevelop buildings on Main Street (the location of the future broadway theater) into a type of nightclub, a lounge and a rooftop patio. Somehow, the loans were denied or there were issues with the loans, and Horbach essentially said he was done with the city and that pretty much closed the official door on the Social Hall Center. The economy going south certainly didn't help - especially when Salt Lake at the time was fighting back a spike in vacancies (Hamilton Partners at this point had essentially tabled their plans for 222 S. Main and the American Stores Tower, later renamed Wells Fargo, was still trying to fill completely up after American Stores was bought out by Albertsons and moved their operations to Boise).

From what I remember Scott telling me, the original plan had been for the tower to be developed before the 2002 Winter Olympics - as kind of a signature building for the city. It also was going to include an IMAX Theater in the central egg, as well as hotel space. But the recession pushed the project back and then everything kinda went quiet until mid-2002 when news broke in the Salt Lake press about the project.

That was the extent of it.

[Makid]

It looks like work is now taking place at the former Goodyear shop at 4th S and West Temple.

So it might not be long before that is gone too.

Does anyone know anything about the print shop on West Temple, North of Goodyear but South of Ruel's/Mo's spot? They haven't made any motion yet to move (at least from the outside).

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Makid

It looks like work is now taking place at the former Goodyear shop at 4th S and West Temple.

So it might not be long before that is gone too.

Does anyone know anything about the print shop on West Temple, North of Goodyear but South of Ruel's/Mo's spot? They haven't made any motion yet to move (at least from the outside).

That is an Everen T Brown (something close to that) Advertising. They will be moving into the new structure that is being built on the north end of the project, in what used to be Mo's/W Lounge parking.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

That is an Everen T Brown (something close to that) Advertising. They will be moving into the new structure that is being built on the north end of the project, in what used to be Mo's/W Lounge parking.

Thanks FM, I wasn't sure what was going on with them. I will say the 2 story structure is going up pretty quick.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

It was very much a real tower. I came across it back in 2002 through a portfolio the designer had created on his website. We kept in contact for a brief period (I can't remember his name, I think it was Scott ... something that began with a B) and eventually news broke in the spring of 2002, from what I remember, that the tower was going forward. The developer behind it was Gene Horbach from E&H Properties, who also developed a great deal of properties in Bellevue, Washington. He died in 2004.

A building was raised (it was a small mid-rise on the corner) and the site prepped, but nothing came of it. For one, Horbach had a falling out with the city over loans to redevelop buildings on Main Street (the location of the future broadway theater) into a type of nightclub, a lounge and a rooftop patio. Somehow, the loans were denied or there were issues with the loans, and Horbach essentially said he was done with the city and that pretty much closed the official door on the Social Hall Center. The economy going south certainly didn't help - especially when Salt Lake at the time was fighting back a spike in vacancies (Hamilton Partners at this point had essentially tabled their plans for 222 S. Main and the American Stores Tower, later renamed Wells Fargo, was still trying to fill completely up after American Stores was bought out by Albertsons and moved their operations to Boise).

From what I remember Scott telling me, the original plan had been for the tower to be developed before the 2002 Winter Olympics - as kind of a signature building for the city. It also was going to include an IMAX Theater in the central egg, as well as hotel space. But the recession pushed the project back and then everything kinda went quiet until mid-2002 when news broke in the Salt Lake press about the project.

That was the extent of it.

Thanks for the clarification. I believe Zions Securities had some involvement because I believe they owned the land. But, I think I do remember all of that fiasco and the developer. I think it is smart of any city and any lending authority to make sure that a building like that has substantial leasings before demolishing existing structures and begin building. Though, I applaud that developer for having the vision to propose the project and the Main Street nightclub stuff.

One clarification though, this Scott guy must have been employed by MulvannyG2, a large architectural firm headquartered in Bellevue, WA, because from what I have known and understood, they were the architectural firm for that project.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Thanks for the clarification. I believe Zions Securities had some involvement because I believe they owned the land. But, I think I do remember all of that fiasco and the developer. I think it is smart of any city and any lending authority to make sure that a building like that has substantial leasings before demolishing existing structures and begin building. Though, I applaud that developer for having the vision to propose the project and the Main Street nightclub stuff.

One clarification though, this Scott guy must have been employed by MulvannyG2, a large architectural firm headquartered in Bellevue, WA, because from what I have known and understood, they were the architectural firm for that project.

The more I think of it, he did just the renderings of the project - not the actual design of it. I remember him telling me that he was not associated with the development or design of it - just that he did the design for a project for the architect ... maybe? I don't know. This was over ten years ago. So, my memory is hazy.

It would've been a nice get for the city - not only as the tallest tower, but also for the uniqueness of the structure. I still hold out hope that another developer will be inspired by the design and create something similar somewhere in the city (it'd look really cool as the convention hotel).

And you're right, Zions Securities would have been the landowner and actually raised the structures on the site in anticipation of the tower. It would've been interesting to see how that development altered City Creek had it happened - since part of that site is now home to the Harmons.

[Stenar]

Screen Shot 2013-07-16 at 13.32.35.png by stenar, on Flickr



Screen Shot 2013-07-16 at 13.30.42.png by stenar, on Flickr
Source: Deseret News

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

The more I think of it, he did just the renderings of the project - not the actual design of it. I remember him telling me that he was not associated with the development or design of it - just that he did the design for a project for the architect ... maybe? I don't know. This was over ten years ago. So, my memory is hazy.

It would've been a nice get for the city - not only as the tallest tower, but also for the uniqueness of the structure. I still hold out hope that another developer will be inspired by the design and create something similar somewhere in the city (it'd look really cool as the convention hotel).

And you're right, Zions Securities would have been the landowner and actually raised the structures on the site in anticipation of the tower. It would've been interesting to see how that development altered City Creek had it happened - since part of that site is now home to the Harmons.

[ToysNoiz]

I found this video about Goldman Sachs in 222 Main a while back. Not sure if it has already been shared, really interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm2GKVwUb8w

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Stenar

Screen Shot 2013-07-16 at 13.32.35.png by stenar, on Flickr



Screen Shot 2013-07-16 at 13.30.42.png by stenar, on Flickr
Source: Deseret News

heh

I forgot the Deseret News had linked to my old 'Around Salt Lake City' website for the rendering. That site doesn't exist anymore, sadly.

#famous

[Orlando]

Nice find Stenar! How did you find it? I would have loved to have that project built just for the pure sake of its architecture craziness and prominence it would have added to the skyline of Salt Lake City. We really need something like that. We keep getting these 20 to 24 story highrises, which is fine. But, it would be so great to finally get a taller and more prominent building of around 30 to 40 stories.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Nice find Stenar! How did you find it? I would have loved to have that project built just for the pure sake of its architecture craziness and prominence it would have added to the skyline of Salt Lake City. We really need something like that. We keep getting these 20 to 24 story highrises, which is fine. But, it would be so great to finally get a taller and more prominent building of around 30 to 40 stories.

Google's newspaper archive


What we really need, more than height, is something that isn't a box.

[Future Mayor]

Seeing the success that Goldman has had in Salt Lake City I really wouldn't be surprised if Hamilton Partners is able to land another investment bank to be the primary tenant of 111 S Main. The tenant that will get them to their 45% pre-leased threshold. An investment bank that will either expand their SLC operations and move downtown (like Goldman did) or move some of their operations from a more expensive market such as NY or Chicago.


I keep holding out hope that our new tallest and interesting design will be the Convention Center Hotel.

Here are a few hotels that would look good in our skyline, would be the new tallest and have a somewhat interesting design.

W Hotel Dallas 439'


W Hotel Hong Kong


W Hotel Austin 476'


Grand Hyatt San Antonio 424'


W Hotel Philadelphia


So I guess really what I'm saying is that I want a W Hotel to be the convention hotel. W seems to have the most unique designs.

[ToysNoiz]

[QUOTE=Future Mayor;6200599]

W Hotel Hong Kong



I love these two towers. My hopes for the Salt Lake CCH are at all time highs!
SLC could use new twin towers.

[SLC Projects]

But the thing is, does "W" want to enter the Salt Lake market?

[justiny]

Compared to other cities, the Salt Palace (Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center) is simply too small.

I believe this to be the Convention Center Hotel we have all hoped for will not develop in the near future.

When tents are put up to accommodate the overflow in an empty parking lot, we've lost the battle.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just saying my opinion.

[delts145]

Tents have been used previously in the Salt Palace history before major expansions. In the past, tents have been an indication of the need for expansion, not that expansion wouldn't occur.

Definitely would like to see those type of design Future Mayor, vs. what we've seen lately in Phoenix or even Denver. Though the new Convention Hotel in Denver is an improvement over Phoenix.

[scottharding]

From what was said at the Downtown Symposium yesterday, the Convention Center Hotel is priority #1 for the Downtown Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce, and they're working at it daily with a lot of help from County Mayor Ben McAdams. They said yesterday they are definitely making progress and will have some exciting things to announce within the year. Of course, I couldn't pry more info from them out of that, but the hotel was the hottest topic at the symposium, and I was very encouraged by the that.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by scottharding

From what was said at the Downtown Symposium yesterday, the Convention Center Hotel is priority #1 for the Downtown Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce, and they're working at it daily with a lot of help from County Mayor Ben McAdams. They said yesterday they are definitely making progress and will have some exciting things to announce within the year. Of course, I couldn't pry more info from them out of that, but the hotel was the hottest topic at the symposium, and I was very encouraged by the that.

There are a lot of business owners downtown, City Leaders and County Leaders that know just how much business we are losing by not having the Convention Hotel.

I do know a few people on the team that are working very hard to get this done.

I do think that we will hear something positive about the Convention Hotel within the next 6 to 8 months. I would really like to hear something when OR comes in the next week or so but I haven't heard anything that makes me think that this is a possibility yet.

[Wasatch_One]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The first Bush recession, 2001-2003.

...sooo the one he inherited from the previous Clinton admin that left office in Jan of '01?