Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[jubguy3]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I'm not so sure we lost any irreplaceable architecture.

The Prudential building was actually beautiful on the inside, and designed by William L. Pereira.

http://saltlakearchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/12/prudential-federal-savings-and-loan.html?m=1

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I'm not so sure we lost any irreplaceable architecture.

Perhaps irreplaceable was too strong a word for this:





http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54673870-78/prudential-building-salt-main.html.csp

...but not for this:



http://utahurbanforum.freeforums.org/broadway-tower-25-stories-100-s-main-t348.html

[ajiuO]

I hope the metro was irreplaceable.. That building was just hidious.. I have wanted to see that and the Shilo inn ripped down for years.. And :-)

The metro looks like something that would be a nice fit for the north side of temple square in the 1970's

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Old&New

I remember people reassuring me that this tower and theater would be architecturally stunning, making up for irreplaceable architecture we lost in demolition...

We need to stop dwelling on what's done. I for one never thought we'd end up with stunning architecture because for one thing, Utah leaders often select conservative architectural styles*. Also, after seeing Pelli Clarke Pelli's previous performing art center designs, I knew we'd get some boring boxy design because all of his previous designs were boring boxes.

*Of course, there are a few notable exceptions to this, but they are the exception, not the rule.

[Comrade]

I don't care if God himself designed the Prudential Building. In my view, it was one of the ugliest blocks of crap the city offered. I'm glad it's gone.

Now if the Transamerica pyramid was demolished for this, I'd agree. But it's irrelevant who designed the building if the building itself is horrid.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I don't care if God himself designed the Prudential Building. In my view, it was one of the ugliest blocks of crap the city offered. I'm glad it's gone.

Now if the Transamerica pyramid was demolished for this, I'd agree. But it's irrelevant who designed the building if the building itself is horrid.

I can't stress the old prudential savings bank's architecture (with the barreled ceiling) enough.

Funny how people point to the modern prudential savings bank and say good riddance, but avoid addressing the older, more intricate building that existed next door. The loss of this building is tragic.

Originally Posted by Stenar

We need to stop dwelling on what's done. I for one never thought we'd end up with stunning architecture because for one thing, Utah leaders often select conservative architectural styles*. Also, after seeing Pelli Clarke Pelli's previous performing art center designs, I knew we'd get some boring boxy design because all of his previous designs were boring boxes.

*Of course, there are a few notable exceptions to this, but they are the exception, not the rule.

The city promised something architecturally stunning, to alleviate criticism, before they even choose an architect.

[jubguy3]

I do agree with you guys that the outside of the prudential was hideous. It could be a soviet brutist prison for all I care. However, there is some missing interior and historical context. From the pictures, the inside was a beautiful work of mid century/ 60s architecture that had a beautiful atrium and a "groundbreaking" design. The prudential building was also historical in that it was one of the first buildings in the 60s-90s growth of our skyline meaning it was a significant addition to main street. The architect is also famous, and although I dislike much of his work and gravitate more towards utopian FLW architecture as far as the midcentury period, it would still be like tearing down a windowless concrete skyscraper designed by Le Corbusier or a more recent architect like Frank Gehry.

That being said, I still think it is ugly and with the context aside, I hate its presence on main street and I'm glad to see it not be there (but sad that a historical icon is gone).

[Stenar]

You guys dwelling on it and ranting and raving isn't going to bring it back or change what's being built. Why keep going on about it?

[mrawesome]

Well, speaking of old buildings...
http://vodaplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SLC-City-Library-3.jpg

I was looking at old Salt Lake City pictures when I came across this. Does anybody know what the white building in the middle of the block is?

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by mrawesome

Well, speaking of old buildings...
http://vodaplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SLC-City-Library-3.jpg

I was looking at old Salt Lake City pictures when I came across this. Does anybody know what the white building in the middle of the block is?

Wasn't that the old downtown jail?

[Lilljemalm]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Wasn't that the old downtown jail?

The old Salt Lake City Justice Complex -- policy dept and courts.

[bflatflat9]

Originally Posted by mrawesome

Well, speaking of old buildings...
http://vodaplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SLC-City-Library-3.jpg

I was looking at old Salt Lake City pictures when I came across this. Does anybody know what the white building in the middle of the block is?

An evil building.
Don't let me get started on stories from the Crypt.
The old jail. Not your friend, nor safe.
Hope for homies, or stay to yourself.
I prefer the library square.
I'm starting to feel better already.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by mrawesome

Well, speaking of old buildings...
http://vodaplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SLC-City-Library-3.jpg

I was looking at old Salt Lake City pictures when I came across this. Does anybody know what the white building in the middle of the block is?

I remember that old building.. They ripped it down when they built the library.. It was a chud.

[StevenF]

wow, I take a week off from the forums and I come back and its the same stuff being talked about. Maybe if I take another week away I might actually see something new to read about.

[jubguy3]

Originally Posted by StevenF

wow, I take a week off from the forums and I come back and its the same stuff being talked about. Maybe if I take another week away I might actually see something new to read about.

I just got back from denver/ Mesa verde. I love utah so much being back. Also any denverite saying that denver mountains are closer and look bigger from DT and it's proper suburbs are talking bullshit. I also drove through provo to get here and I realized I know shit about provo.

Does that count as something? Must admit that the forums here have been really slow and seeing my long reply about RTD on their transit thread get one response that said "nice review" has made me sad..

I fucking love SLC!

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by StevenF

wow, I take a week off from the forums and I come back and its the same stuff being talked about. Maybe if I take another week away I might actually see something new to read about.

Let me fill you in. The ugly 60's building on the theatre site is pretty much leveled now.

Also, can anyone update me on what is going to be built on the corner of 400 S and 500 E. That abandoned corner store is flattened and now the ugly office building next to it is getting chewed up.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by s.p.hansen

Let me fill you in. The ugly 60's building on the theatre site is pretty much leveled now.

Also, can anyone update me on what is going to be built on the corner of 400 S and 500 E. That abandoned corner store is flattened and now the ugly office building next to it is getting chewed up.

..and there is a big pile of dirt in the empty lot on the NW corner of 100 S & 200 E... It has nothing to do with the development of the site it self.. thats about it :/

Old&New is yapping about how he liked the buildings that they tore down for upac.. and I'm yapping about how much I hatted the metro building.. we go through this at least every few weeks :-)

[Old&New]

Finding developer is next step in mega-hotel process
Conventions » GOED backs McAdams, but some argue site should be picked first.
Salt Lake Tribune

...Three of GOED’s 13 board members...voted against McAdams’ approach. They felt it would be better to get the best site first, then find a developer who can make that location work...

..."There are six landowners who believe they have the best site," McAdams said, contending none is the "clear-cut best" and all have attributes and shortcomings. "There are multiple sites where we could be happy..."

...Outgoing GOED Executive Director Spencer Eccles backed McAdams’ position that it is best to find the developer first. Since that individual or company is bearing the biggest risk in building the projected $335 million hotel, Eccles added, the developer is "the best expert in the room" to evaluate the potential locations...

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/58062299-90/hotel-developer-goed-mcadams.html.csp

I couldn't disagree more that a developer is the "best expert in the room" to evaluate potential locations for the Convention Center Hotel, because a developers choice may not be in the best interest of Salt Lake City. This project was first and foremost meant to benefit Salt Lake City and it's convention center. Sure, a developer can benefit too, but not at the expense of Salt Lake City.

The Hotel's meeting space needs to be contiguous with the salt palace's exhibit space in order to be a serious contestant in a competitive market. This means there will need to be a skybridge connecting the two. I certainly do not want a skybridge spanning any street other than 200 West or West 100 South, both of which have no view corridor left to preserve. This leaves the Royal Wood Plaza block as the only option.

Based on all the arguments for the Royal Wood Plaza Location, I think we have convincingly shown that this is the "clear-cut best" location which will give Salt Lake City, the County, and our State, the greatest return on its investment. I'd be happy to reiterate all the arguments again if needed.

[jubguy3]

Originally Posted by Old&New

Finding developer is next step in mega-hotel process
Conventions » GOED backs McAdams, but some argue site should be picked first.
Salt Lake Tribune



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/58062299-90/hotel-developer-goed-mcadams.html.csp

I couldn't disagree more that a developer is the "best expert in the room" to evaluate potential locations for the Convention Center Hotel, because a developers choice may not be in the best interest of Salt Lake City. This project was first and foremost meant to benefit Salt Lake City and it's convention center. Sure, a developer can benefit too, but not at the expense of Salt Lake City.

The Hotel's meeting space needs to be contiguous with the salt palace's exhibit space in order to be a serious contestant in a competitive market. This means there will need to be a skybridge connecting the two. I certainly do not want a skybridge spanning any street other than 200 West or West 100 South, both of which have no view corridor left to preserve. This leaves the Royal Wood Plaza block as the only option.

Based on all the arguments for the Royal Wood Plaza Location, I think we have convincingly shown that this is the "clear-cut best" location which will give Salt Lake City, the County, and our State, the greatest return on its investment. I'd be happy to reiterate all the arguments again if needed.

Nice analysis! I'd say your comments are worth sharing with the people that find the developer.

[jubguy3]

-oops, ignore this post