Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 4

[Makid]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

I can't say exactly where it is as I do not believe they have closed on the property yet. I would hate to create a issue with acquiring the land. It is close to the Salt Palace and is a very under utilized piece of ground at the moment. Once it's a bit further down the pike I would be happy to share it with you all.

I do have to say that there is so much hotel talk downtown. There are so many proposed at the moment that I have a hard time believing that they can all be built. It will be interesting to see which projects move forward and what sort of impact the proposals have on companies bidding for the convention center hotel.

I wanted to hit on this section for a bit.

The CCH is a different market than the other hotels that are planned. Also, boutique hotels by their nature are more of a niche and not tied to the same metrics as govern other hotels.

As before, Salt Lake has seen increased hotel development and plans. This year, Salt Lake has seen hotel occupancy increase to its highest levels ever.

This is with continuing to add additional space. When the last hotel opened (SW Corner of 1st S and 3rd W), the space was immediately absorbed and had no effect on the occupancy rates.

With Salt Lake City proper averaging over 80% occupancy and topping out at 100% occupancy multiple times this year, even outside of Outdoor Retailer, this shows that there is demand for more rooms.

Further, the Convention District itself has a higher occupancy rate than the City.

With over 7,000 hotel rooms in the city, with all numbers staying the same, Salt Lake could add 700 rooms (10% additional rooms) to the market currently and depending on where you are looking - City Proper or Convention District, the occupancy rates would still be between 70% and 77% respectively.

There is a strong demand for additional hotel rooms currently that is far from being met.

The CCH isn't something that fully affects the Occupancy rate as it is an inducer. This means that having a CCH induces more and larger conventions to the market which drives additional hotel occupancy at the surrounding hotels.

Finally, with the known hotel plan count, AUC, Regent, etc. that are planning or set to open this year to early next, we are still under the 700+ rooms that can be supported without a CCH currently.

The only question that is unknown is will this level of conventions and visitors continue to keep the hotel occupancy rates going up as they have been while also absorbing the additional rooms as they become available.

[s.p.hansen]

[asies1981]

Photo update of the Marmalade Branch.

[Merewether]

Demolition of the Felt Boys and Girls Club on Ninth East just south of Fourth South now looks complete. Perhaps the apartments announced years ago will soon commence.

[DMTower]

Found this on 111 S Main's website. Not sure it's been posted here yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P-DaXn8pkw

[Twothirty8]

Yesterday, I ran into an architect on the AUC project, he told me a new, and possibly, final rendering has been submitted. Hopefully Ken will show us all.

Also, cool reno for the University Club Tower on South Temple - http://bit.ly/1JJPpB6

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by Twothirty8

Also, cool reno for the University Club Tower on South Temple - http://bit.ly/1JJPpB6

That helps somewhat. I think that's been my least favorite SLC skyscraper ever since I've been aware of design. Which has been like 30 years. Because I'm old. I think I've moved past where I wanted it demolished or reclad (I almost never like recladding--I wish we still had the Kennecott building, copper skin and all), now I just want it concealed from my view by taller buildings.

And cool news about AUC -- hopefully Ken will give us an update soon.

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by Twothirty8

Yesterday, I ran into an architect on the AUC project, he told me a new, and possibly, final rendering has been submitted. Hopefully Ken will show us all.

Also, cool reno for the University Club Tower on South Temple - http://bit.ly/1JJPpB6

I really like that building. It's got that 60's comic book vibe and is the perfect height for its design. I'm all for the base being remodeled, but basically recladding the whole thing is a shame. It will look dated in 20-30 years.

[delts145]

The redo of the base and lower levels of the old Beneficial Tower was a huge success in my opinion. Not sure about this one, although I am encouraged by a few changes they have made recently. It would appear from the rendering that they're not doing much if anything with the tower itself now. IMO, the street level is a big improvement over the previous quite tacky base. It is a simple classic design, using quality timeless materials. Also, the design and higher quality materials fit well with their attractive neighbor, the Alta Club. I'm glad that they have decided not to fool around with the majority of the tower or the top. Previously, I think they had modified the façade of the tower, and especially the crown with a cornice that seemed like a cheap add on. I think the body of the tower is simple enough that the upgraded classic base won't clash. I'm still apprehensive about the façade detailing(window openings) of the parking garage itself, and how it will mix with the original curtain of the tower. Also, the color palette of the new materials on the parking garage, and how it will all mix with the tower could present a big problem with the final outcome.

Those of you who are familiar with the make-over of the steeple on the Provo LDS Temple. Not the City Center Temple, but the one east of the MTC. Remember when it was gold? They decided to give it a white coating, so it would contrast with an added gold statue of Moroni. Well, now the white of the entire steeple tower clashes in a very strange ill fitting way with the white palette of the stone on the main body of the Temple.

This rendering of the University Club is not the best indicator for making a final judgment on how the parking garage is going to mesh with the tower. Hopefully, we're dealing with decision makers who pay attention to both design and palette details.


http://www.sltrib.com

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Merewether

Demolition of the Felt Boys and Girls Club on Ninth East just south of Fourth South now looks complete. Perhaps the apartments announced years ago will soon commence.

Isn't that the location of the new Eco Lofts, which are moving full steam ahead on construction? That's going to be a good looking project.

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by ToysNoiz

recladding the whole thing is a shame. It will look dated in 20-30 years.

But they're not recladding the whole thing, right? It's just the base they're changing. Everything from the ankles up looks the same to me.

[Makid]

We should have the CCH RFP back out in the public in the next few weeks.

It will be limited for location choices. Basically only the 2 options will be available.

It will state clearly what subsidies are available and their maximum level.

It will also be expanded as to who is able to submit and be considered which will help in gaining the 50+ developers that didn't submit an RFP last time because of some restrictions.

Hopefully with all the changes/updates, we will get some good responses and it won't set us back more than 6 months or so from the original timeline.

With the current occupancy numbers, it is feasible that 1200 rooms is possible. I do expect that it would be between 1000 and 1200 rooms. That would also be between 100,000 and 120,000 additional Sq Ft of meeting space for the Convention Center bumping us up another level. On either site, that would be a fairly tall tower and if it is at least 1000 rooms, we will have a new tallest and depending on the design, it might actually be visibly the tallest in the skyline regardless of location selected.

1200 rooms could push it to between 550' and 600'+ depending on design.

This is going off of the 510 room Marriott at City Creek which is 263' tall. Doubling this would be 526' and 1020 rooms. If the design is thinner, height could be taller.

Even though we are still out a bit from knowing what will happen. It is nice to imagine what it will look like and the ultimate height for the CCH. Location is atleast somewhat known.

[Orlando]

Thanks for the info. I like your informative bullet point posts.

[bflatflat9]

Originally Posted by Makid

We should have the CCH RFP back out in the public in the next few weeks.

It will be limited for location choices. Basically only the 2 options will be available.

It will state clearly what subsidies are available and their maximum level.

It will also be expanded as to who is able to submit and be considered which will help in gaining the 50+ developers that didn't submit an RFP last time because of some restrictions.

Hopefully with all the changes/updates, we will get some good responses and it won't set us back more than 6 months or so from the original timeline.

With the current occupancy numbers, it is feasible that 1200 rooms is possible. I do expect that it would be between 1000 and 1200 rooms. That would also be between 100,000 and 120,000 additional Sq Ft of meeting space for the Convention Center bumping us up another level. On either site, that would be a fairly tall tower and if it is at least 1000 rooms, we will have a new tallest and depending on the design, it might actually be visibly the tallest in the skyline regardless of location selected.

1200 rooms could push it to between 550' and 600'+ depending on design.

This is going off of the 510 room Marriott at City Creek which is 263' tall. Doubling this would be 526' and 1020 rooms. If the design is thinner, height could be taller.

Even though we are still out a bit from knowing what will happen. It is nice to imagine what it will look like and the ultimate height for the CCH. Location is atleast somewhat known.

Easily imaginable looking at s.p.hansen's post from the 5th south curve.
From that angle (probably our best), the hotel would be silhouetted either between One Utah and Walker, or just right of 111. Either way, a nice densifier. SLC could really look quite impressive for being out in the middle of nowhere right around 2020.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by delts145

http://www.sltrib.com

Howard Roark would be furious with this. This is just like in the Fountainhead when the client wanted to add a classical facade to Roark's modern skyscraper. They don't go together. Why can't they design an updated modern design for these base that goes with the tower?

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Howard Roark would be furious with this. This is just like in the Fountainhead when the client wanted to add a classical facade to Roark's modern skyscraper. They don't go together. Why can't they design an updated modern design for these base that goes with the tower?

Ew Ayn Rand. Lettuce beef real, modern architecture is only valuable if it's made with good materials and craftsmanship. I've come to peace with that tower, but it's very very pleb tier disposable modern architecture. The Grand America style lobby looks out of place, but it's no tragedy. The building was conceived on a low budget and the architect gave it a low budget design.

In my view it went from being a Burger King styrofoam cup to a Burger King styrofoam cup with a cosy on the bottom with the new design.

What I like about it is that it will have a better engagement with the street which the other was lacking, which on the whole makes this an improvement.

[Viperlord]

September 9th 2015

Planning Commission Meeting

Regent Street Hotel:

REQUEST: Approval of the proposed building and site design for a new 22-story hotel and condominium building; specifically, the building height 20-stories, 337 feet requires additional consideration. The Planning Commission has final decision making authority for Conditional Building and Site Design Review.

Additional information in the packet below:
http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Planning%20Commission/2015/463.pdf

[Merewether]

[IMG]http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/xeCSz3][/url]FullSizeRender by MerewetherDB, on Flickr[/IMG]

View of skyline from roof terrace of new College of Law building (University St. and South Campus Drive..approx. 400 South 1350 East.)

[s.p.hansen]

Can us non law students visit the terrace?

[bflatflat9]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

September 9th 2015

Planning Commission Meeting

Regent Street Hotel:

REQUEST: Approval of the proposed building and site design for a new 22-story hotel and condominium building; specifically, the building height 20-stories, 337 feet requires additional consideration. The Planning Commission has final decision making authority for Conditional Building and Site Design Review.

Additional information in the packet below:
http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Planning%20Commission/2015/463.pdf

Not all of the packet is opening for me.
So what exactly are they considering? Are they proposing 22 stories instead of 20? And if this is approved, what's the timeline for groundbreaking? If I remember correctly, the RDA had purchased the smaller two parcels on the north, or was it all three.
Anyway, someone holla please, this to me is the most exciting upcoming project, next to the CCH, more so than 151 or AUC.