Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3 - Page 290

jimmycdii · #**5781** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 5:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I had just a little over two pages of comments to express, but due to the time limits that everyone has, I was only about to get through 1/3 of one, next time I'll e-mail my comments.

I brought up the issue that contrary to the staff analysis, it does seem to make a nearly 500' wall effect on 500 W, and combined this with Liberty Gateway and the Storage place, that makes three buildings on the west side of 500 W all at or very near 50' tall. I suggested that the developer should have raised the height by one or two stories at the corner, with step downs along 500 W allowing for a narrower building North to South and creating room for an E/W mid-block walkway. One Commission Member brought up his desire for an E/W mid-block access, prior to me bringing it up.

The architect responded by saying that taller than the current 4 story proposal would have changed the construction model and would have priced the development out . He also defended there 2-3 foot differentiation from the sidewalk along the length, and minor differences in height as plenty of visual stimulation. He also said that the entrance on the corner, the three garage doors and 2-3 more first floor exits, along with the first floor patios, would activate the street.

The Planning Commission approved the development. There really isn't much that could be done, as staff and the architect felt the Wall Effect wasn't going to happen, because other than that, it met the a Planned Development in the Gateway area.

The PC also approved Seasons at Denver St. It scored high enough in the transit zone scoring that it only needed administrative approval. However it had to go to the planning commission because the rear setback was is smaller than ordinance allows.

The PC also approved the Eco-lofts, approx 420 S 900 East (Kiwanas). This too scored high enough to only require administrative approval, but due to the canal at the front end of the property the building would encroach into the rear setback and thus needed to go before the PC. FYI, this will be Silver LEED.

Even though I don't love the 500' wall on the Alta project I am happy to see three new residential developments being built, particularly in the Gateway area, and along the University Trax line.

Enjoyed reading this and hearing what happened. Thanks for posting it!

Orlando · #**5782** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 5:41 AM**

Up here in the Pac NW, podium style urban housing is the trend. 1 to 2 stories of Type I construction(ie. concrete or steel), with 4 to 6 floors of Type V construction (wood framing). The Sugarhole project is a podium style project. The Alta project is probably 4 floors of wood frame construction. I am assuming that the Gateway is just not ready for podium style stuff. It is the next economic level of development. 5 floors wood require a change in type, ie. the podium style. Anything taller than the 6 to 7 floors of podium buildings, would require it to go to all Type I or II construction (concrete and/or steel), which of course, is much more expensive. These types of wood frame developments going up in the Gateway are symbolic of our economic situation , 'recovery', and a sign of developers trying to be more frugal. It's what "pencils out" right now. And, I'll take the Alta over no development there. I do like the ideals that Future Mayor had, but perhaps the demand is just not there yet to justify more restrictive zoning requirements in that area. I'm excited that we have something going on over there at all!

CofIKid · #**5783** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 11:52 AM**

The Cowboy Partners "liberty gateway" and the other project on 600 west and North Temple are concrete at the base, and wood structure above, as will the hotels east of the gateway.

Most of the apartments being build downtown are the podium construction you talk of.

Future Mayor · #**5784** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 4:52 PM**

I am guessing the living space for Alta Gateway will be wood as the parking structure is in the middle and that will be concrete. Unlike Liberty Gateway which the apartments sit on top of the parking deck, thus why they have a podium.

SLC2GeorgetownU · #**5785** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 8:36 PM**

NOW WITH THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL ADDED

NOW MY DREAM SLC

Future Mayor · #**5786** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 9:03 PM**

Thanks for the renderings. It's amazing how the skyline drops off at W. Temple. The addition of a convention Hotel, maybe even taller than the renderings, plus a COB 2 between W. Temple and 200 W would do wonders in extending the skyline a little west.

I think 111, looks nice in the skyline. It doesn't make a huge impact but it does fill that 100 S to 200 S hole that we currently have.

SLC Projects · #**5787** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 10:36 PM**

Great work, however, I don't think tower 2/Cascade will be that tall. It will only be around 255FT at 19-stories.

DCRes · #**5788** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 11:55 PM**

Didn't we see a rendering for the Chase/Ruth's Chris building a while back? If i remember right, they were filling in the gap between the two buildings. Does anyone have that rendering they can post? Anyway, it looks like they are starting on that.

SLC2GeorgetownU · #**5789** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 12:03 AM**

The Cascade was originally 400 Feet tall and when the recession hit and they had already built the ground level they decided to revise it to 259 FT but when the market wasn't recovering the church decided to halt construction and keep the original tower design and wait for the economy to recover. So from what I heard and I have a good source, the Cascade will maintain its original height and be built once demand has recovered. I think the only real change that I know of is the reconfiguration of the units and there will be more 1 bedroom and studio units then before. Also the Convention Center hotel probably wont be 1000 rooms, that is usually required for major cities such as Boston, San Diego etc. I think a good 650 would be plenty especially since they don't want to impact current hotel business that much.

SLC2GeorgetownU · #**5790** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 12:04 AM**

Oh yea I think the courthouse is not neasrly that large but I measured it to exact building specs of 180X180 FT X 297 feet.

SLC Projects · #**5791** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 12:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC2GeorgetownU

The Cascade was originally 400 Feet tall and when the recession hit and they had already built the ground level they decided to revise it to 259 FT but when the market wasn't recovering the church decided to halt construction and keep the original tower design and wait for the economy to recover. So from what I heard and I have a good source, the Cascade will maintain its original height and be built once demand has recovered.

That's great news.

Future Mayor · #**5792** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 1:59 AM**

While I'm not doubting your sources, I am questioning them a little bit. I believe they actually lowered the height of the Cascade prior to the recession and prior to construction. It was around the time that they removed the third Anchor (Dillards) and replaced it with The Regent. I hope I'm wrong, because I would love to see the Cascade back at it's original height, but I'm pretty sure that is what I recall the time line being.

As for the Convention Center Hotel, the Downtown Alliance and the Convention and Visitors Bureau have done studies that show a need for a 800-1,000 room convention hotel, if additional convention space is added. Several developers are wanting to build the hotel portion, they simply want the convention portion that needs to be built along with it to be financed through others means. Without the additional convention space, I agree with you, that we won't get the 1,000 room hotel.

Future Mayor · #**5793** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 2:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCRes

Didn't we see a rendering for the Chase/Ruth's Chris building a while back? If i remember right, they were filling in the gap between the two buildings. Does anyone have that rendering they can post? Anyway, it looks like they are starting on that.

Is this the image you were referring to? pulled from page 139

SLC2GeorgetownU · #**5794** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 4:40 AM**

About the Cascade, I might be wrong concerning the details of when or why, but Im sure they want to keep the original design. I mean whats the point of waiting to build it if your not going to make it count. The original redesign was if they were going to build it along with the other 4. Now that they are just waiting they can stick to the original plan. I do know one thing about the church, its that they don't half ass anything, we all know they haven't cut any corners when it comes to the CCC so far, why start now. The whole idea for the height of the Cascade was for it to provide the best views of the city, which I'm sure undoubtedly it will.

Makid · #**5795** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 5:20 AM**

The Cascade was reduced in height when they added the Regent and added height to 99 West. This was before the initial concrete pours. So, it is possible that they did pour enough for a 400' Cascade but we won't know until they submit plans for construction. My understanding is that if the base isn't poured to support a structure that tall, they couldn't build it that tall.

Regarding the Convention Hotel, if it is passed this year by the State legislature, expect the hotel to exceed 1000 rooms. All of the studies that have been done show that SLC can support at least a single Convention Hotel with between 1000 and 1500 rooms with the current exhibitions and shows at the center.

One last comment on the Cascade. I think that the main reason it was reduced was to spread out the residential throughout the project as well as increase height for 99 West. I was thinking that if the Cascade was supposed to have the best views and a hotel is build around Arrow Press Square, the views facing South would be mostly blocked. However, with 99 West, there isn't as great of a risk that a view is going to be completely blocked due to the corner location and the only nearby development opportunities are directly NW and 99 West has limited views on the diagonal.

delts145 · #**5796** Posted **Dec 15, 2013, 2:21 PM**

Beijer Electronics announces expansion of Salt Lake City office

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86559...-expansion-of-Salt-Lake-City-office.html

.

SLC2GeorgetownU · #**5797** Posted **Dec 15, 2013, 3:47 PM**

This is the latest renderings of the 111 Main tower, I really like the how the lobby has been updated, it looks like a pedestal and the concrete perimeter columns have been removed from the lobby and replaced with multiple slender steel columns, its more elegant and unique. I like this so much better then the previous design, which looked cheesy and didn't fit in with the Theater design in my opinion.

scottharding · #**5798** Posted **Dec 15, 2013, 5:24 PM**

It sure looks like the exterior is just straight up-and-down glass walls. It looks like the cool accordion idea has been scrapped.

ToysNoiz · #**5799** Posted **Dec 15, 2013, 5:36 PM**

So it's grey now?

Okay. I liked it blue.

Comrade · #**5800** Posted **Dec 15, 2013, 8:35 PM**

It seems with every update I become more meh to this building.

So...

meh