Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 4

[Highrise_Mike]

I think the discussion of the Zion's Bank building on 100 South was from a couple days ago but I have to share my quick idea of what I would love to see there!

This tower is dreaming big but it is 44 floors, 605' to the top of the structure and 717' to the top of the spire. Something with a glass crown that can light up at night similar to 222 S would be a cool feature as well.

[bflatflat9]

Originally Posted by Highrise_Mike

I think the discussion of the Zion's Bank building on 100 South was from a couple days ago but I have to share my quick idea of what I would love to see there!

This tower is dreaming big but it is 44 floors, 605' to the top of the structure and 717' to the top of the spire. Something with a glass crown that can light up at night similar to 222 S would be a cool feature as well.

A tad bulky, but...um..go ahead and build it. Now.

[delts145]

Very cool Mike. Perhaps the only adjustment I would make would be as suggested, to slenderize it a bit.

[Highrise_Mike]

Thanks for the suggestion, when I look at it now it is a little on the large side when compared to the other existing buildings in the area! I would love to see something to this effect with some architectural interest and a good non-square crown even if it is only in the 450'-500' range. Anyway, thanks for letting me share!

[Wasatch Wasteland]

Can someone PLEASE add The Regent to this? I am useless when it comes to this kind of thing….

And the Cascade!

In fact while you are at it, add in a decent looking zion's bank tower.

Please whoever can do this do not just add in colored squares.

[s.p.hansen]

I love all these sketchups. I'm not talented that way. But I did recently watch a great TED talk on city flags and it inspired me to junk our lame chamber of commerce flag for Salt Lake City and try my hand at designing a new one.

• Video Link


My new flag for Salt Lake City, inspired by the colors from the old old Salt Lake City flag. Also inspired by our blocks and wide streets. Remember, 7 blocks makes a mile.

My Salt Lake City flag



The old old Salt Lake City flag

[delts145]

How about something like this at the southwest corner of 1st and Main. Or if not there, somewhere in the CBD. As far as towers go, I'm interested in what Calgary is doing.

CALGARY | Telus Sky | 222 M / 729 FT | 58 FLOORS

TELUS is reaching for the sky with a new architectural landmark in Calgary’s downtown core, transforming the entire 7th Avenue block into one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally-friendly sites in North America.

[…]

TELUS Sky will be a LEED Platinum signature development for TELUS created by world-renowned architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Dialog, along with partners: developer Westbank and real estate investment trust Allied Properties. The 750,000 square foot vibrant mixed-use tower will incorporate office, retail and residential space. There will be 430,000 square feet of office space, of which 155,000 square feet will be for TELUS. The development, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017, will provide approximately 250 jobs for Calgarians, and engage local trades and companies to complete our vision.

http://about.telus.com/community/eng...es-for-the-sky

http://telussky.com/index.php

All of these and many more are currently under construction. Check them out at the main high rises under construction threads...http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=103






CALGARY | Manulife | 124 M / 408 FT | 27 Floors


.

[Future Mayor]

You're right Arrow Press Square was at the point that it was to expensive to rehabilitate, but that is simply due to a shitty land owner not giving a shit about the building and letting it deteriorate for 15 or more years. Any building is going to get to the point that it is beyond rehabilitation when nothing is done with it for 15 or more years.

LAZY!

Has anyone heard back from Vasilios? I'm wondering if after the first few e-mails with APS as the subject line if he simply stopped reading them.

[EPdesign]

http://www.sltrib.com/news/3246034-155/salt-lake-city-approves-1m-low-interest

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by EPdesign

http://www.sltrib.com/news/3246034-155/salt-lake-city-approves-1m-low-interest

I am glad to see an increase in affordable units in downtown, as it is obviously needed, but I once again question why the entire thing is going to be affordable. I will continue to argue that the best approach to affordable units is to make a percentage of affordable units within market rate developments. Federal funding can still be used when a percentage of units are set aside. I think this allows for a much better social and economic integration of a variety of income levels. Honestly what is the difference between 616 Lofts and Providence Place vs the "Projects" in large cities. Entire buildings of low income/affordable housing, ours are simply newer.

[Hatman]

Flag design is cool. I could totally get behind your idea for the flag. It would be pretty awesome if SLC got a flag cool enough that people would be proud to use everywhere, like Chicago, DC, or Amsterdam. Certainly good for civic pride all around.

[scottharding]

Future Mayor, I'd argue that Income Restricted housing are hardly the same thing as "projects." Did you read the article? It mentioned that the residents there would make 60% of the area median income. So a two bedroom would run around $880. There are a lot of people on this forum who said they would live downtown if it weren't so expensive. I myself have lived downtown for 10 years, and just got priced out of where I was into a smaller place (which I don't mind much, but it's true). Market rate for a two-bedroom unit downtown is about $1400-$1600/month all around downtown.

I'm not currently in a restricted income unit, but I have been before, and I wouldn't have a problem doing it again. Because I love downtown. I own my own business within walking distance or a Trax ride from my apartment. I go to Jazz games frequently, and attend concerts at the Venue, the Complex and the Depot. I go to theatre frequently. This year I've seen shows at Capitol, the Rose Wagner (several times) and Salt Lake Acting Company (several times). I have a membership to the Salt Lake Film Society and see at least a movie a week there. I shop at the Gateway and City Creek frequently, visit the eateries and bars regularly with friends, and sometimes just walk around downtown because, well you guys know how it is. Do I fit the description of the type of person who would be in the "projects?" Or do I qualify as exactly the type of person we'd want populating downtown? And those among us on this forum who expressed a desire to live downtown, but simply can't afford so much for so little space, I'd certainly welcome them to come have the lifestyle they want.

I don't have a problem with some of these new buildings be only income restricted, because I know that doesn't mean they'll be filled with criminals or something. I think they'll be mostly populated by exactly the type of people they're designed for. Younger families and professionals and students who want the urban lifestyle. They attract artists, entrepreneurs, grad students, active people. They prevent the city core from being just rich old retired people, or in our case, a city of LDS general authorities.

And for the record, I'm all in favor of having good places for poorer people to live. 800-1000 bucks for a place hardly qualifies one as poor, I think. But let's not leave them out of the street either.

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

REPOST:

Lets take a look at exactly who own this property (See diagram below)



(01) ZIONS First National Bank:
29 W 100S (Parking Lot)
33 W 100S (Parking Lot)
37 W 100S (Parking Lot)
102 S Main (ZIONS First National Bank)
116 S Main (Parking Lot)
118 S Main (Parking Lot)
120 S Main (ZIONS Bank Resource Center)
122 S Main (Utah Film Center)
124 S Main (Edinburgh Castle Scottish Imports)

(02) Vasillios Priskos: (VMM LLC, 39/49 LLC, Banaloops)
55 W 100S (Caffe Molise)
57 W 100S (Caffe Molise)
59 W 100S (Nexia)
61 W 100S (Caffe Molise)
63 W 100S (BTG Wine Bar)
65 W 100S (Oxford Shop)
115 S West Temple (Empty Lot.. Old club DV8)
119 S West Temple (Behind APS DV8)
123 S West Temple (Arrow Press Square)

(03) Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake:
148 S Main (Utah Arts)
150 S Main (Beckett & Robb)
152 S Main (Southam Gallery)
154 S Main (Ray's Barber Shop)
156 S Main (Twisted Roots)

(04) Hines:
133 S Main (Michelangelo's)
136 S Main (Jos. A. Bank)

(05) Nick & Virginia Kalantzes:
107 S West Temple (N/A)

(06) CNK Properties LLC:
67 W 100S (Naked Fish)

(07) Salt Lake City Corp:
49 W 100S (Offices)

(08) Unknown 1:
128 S Main (Beehive Pub)

(09) Unknown 2:
158 S Main (Gandolpho's)
160 S Main (Murphy's Bar & Grill)

(10) Rocky Mountain Power
155 S West Temple (Sub Station & Parking)

(11) DM Temple LLC
175 S West Temple (Office Building)

My step great grandpa built #09, and I believe my step grandpa's sister inherited it and still owns it.

[linguisize]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

My step great grandpa built #09, and I believe my step grandpa's sister inherited it and still owns it.

Wasn't Murphy's recently sold? I can't provide sources at the moment, but maybe I can drum that up.

[Future Mayor]

The "Projects" comparison was the extreme example, I realize that, and obviously not all affordable housing is run down and has tenants that couldn't care less what the place looks like, particularly at the 60% level.

However I still feel that a inclusionary zoning is a better way to go. Requiring new rental unit developments to have a percentage of "Affordable" Units, possibly some at 60% of median income and some at a lower percentage.

I have considered affordable as well, and would rent an affordable unit, because I too love downtown. I was able to get a room in a condo for the time being, but I do realize, from checking out my options, that there is a huge shortage of affordable units in that 60-80% median income range.

I think 616 will be a great addition to the overall housing stock, and sorely needed, I just feel that there is a better overall approach to reach the same goals.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I am glad to see an increase in affordable units in downtown, as it is obviously needed, but I once again question why the entire thing is going to be affordable. I will continue to argue that the best approach to affordable units is to make a percentage of affordable units within market rate developments. Federal funding can still be used when a percentage of units are set aside. I think this allows for a much better social and economic integration of a variety of income levels. Honestly what is the difference between 616 Lofts and Providence Place vs the "Projects" in large cities. Entire buildings of low income/affordable housing, ours are simply newer.

Ya, I think you have a good point. I've done mixed and affordable housing. But, for how high profile this location is, I am concerned of the quality and maintenance of exterior finish systems with an all affordable housing project. Many affordable housing developers do not maintain their projects well at all.

[SLC2GeorgetownU]

I was bored the other night and just thought I'd add some different signature towers to the Zions Bank location , which I also believe should be the spot for the cities tallest. Tell me what you think. I also updated the rendering of what the skyline will look like when the current proposed towers are done.

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by Hatman

Flag design is cool. I could totally get behind your idea for the flag. It would be pretty awesome if SLC got a flag cool enough that people would be proud to use everywhere, like Chicago, DC, or Amsterdam. Certainly good for civic pride all around.

Thanks man! I really like the Chicago flag because it isn't particularly stunning but it's very catchy and easy to riff on. The Chicago flag is like those pre internet memes where people would alter it and spread it and make it more popular.

What I was trying to do with my design is make something simple but symbolic that people could take apart and turn into theirs. You can use at that white space to color on. You could even strip out the international ish orange horizontal stripes and put the LGBTQ flag behind it. Interestingly enough, the LGBTQ Flag is easily the most popular flag flown by individual residences in Salt Lake City. We have a great big gay community and lots of allies here, but I also believe it's partially because we have an absence of a banner that brings us together like the LGBTQ Flag. I think it speaks to a need for a better city flag.

What a chamber of commerce doesn't seem to understand with designing a flag is that it isn't about establishing a brand that is rigidly clear with lettering or city skyline silhouettes, a good flag has a core idea that is open source to everyone. You make it free for people to use your flag so they can make the merchandise that people want to buy. You make your design meaningful but vague enough that coffee shops or t shirt stands can play on your design. Tourists come and buy this stuff and take it home and people start talking about Salt Lake City. You just let the people create the buzz.

If the only places flying the city flag are city, school and municipal buildings, we haven't gotten it right! And we are in good company with most major cities across the United States. I think we need a good flag even more than other cities because we don't have professional football or baseball teams and that puts us in a recognizable symbol middle place against other cities.

[Future Mayor]

I definitely like the tower in the first renderings better. While the second one isn't necessarily a box it looks like a box with a pointy top, I would like the second one more than I do if it had a more gradual point.

[Hatman]

I had to look up what our current city flag is. I hadn't seen it anywhere. I wasn't too impressed when I saw it, but I wasn't disgusted by it either:


Though perhaps my neutral reaction was caused by all the years I had to live under this thing:




Skylines are usually a bad choice for a flag because they are always changing. Yes we ought to be proud of our skyline, but it isn't the best thing for a flag.
I'd repeat everything s.p.hansen said about a good customizable flag being a fantastic way to build a city's brand and identity. Maybe now with Jackie being new and wanting to make a noticable difference, maybe now would be a great time for a flag referendum, like what the Hello Internet podcast is doing.