Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[airhero]

Originally Posted by Marvland

The Horsley. Amazing building. Probably the most important historic commercial structure on the west side but a very very tough site. I negotiated it out of bankruptcy and had it under contract in 2015 and walked after digging in. I was going to put in a distillery in the main floor and basement and do a B&B renovation upstairs. I had to walk after 3rd party reports but one good thing came of it: I was able to get full-blown distilleries and breweries allowed in the TSA zones in SLC, so there's that (more on that angle later). A prominent builder, which I am not, chased it after me and couldn't land it. It then sold for too much money and has traded hands three times in the last two years, which is why it has sat as a cold shell with its windows removed (!!ACK!!) last winter. No parking, the lot is basically the building envelope. The previous owner wanted to knock it over and pave it for parking it for Grifolds (Biomat) in 2012 but ran into the Sugarhole ordinance. They lopped off all the land around it, built the new improved Biomat and encumbered it with some weird easements. I wish the new owner all the luck in the world as it really needs to be loved. Maybe he found a parking solution, which is what held everybody else back, along with the need for full seismic, roof, facade, etc. It was always an important part of the Guadalupe neighborhood and I'd love to see that old dame treated right. Here is a great history of the Horsley Building: http://fairparkcommunity.org/?p=60#.WdY1DGi3xPY

Wow that is a great read. Things must have really changed for the worse for that area in the 80s and 90s. I had no idea there used to be Safeway in Utah. I'd love to see the wonder bread building creatively reused at some point. I'd also love to see a small section of I-15 buried at some point.

I'm looking forward to the write-up on the Horsley building Isaac. I hope it's a great project that pans out.

[airhero]

I went to the Jazz game last night, mostly to see the newly remodeled arena. I expected it to feel more different. Still is a lot nicer. I like how the new seats aren't over-padded. I'm disappointed the bathrooms weren't remodeled. I really hope they do that in the near future.

I passed through the Gateway and snapped a pic of the new screen on the clock tower:



Way better than a useless, ugly clock, but still a little awkward, especially in a place that is deader than ever. I really hope Vestar can have success with the Gateway.

Also the Olive Garden building is undergoing a makeover:



It lights up now! (cue Shilo Inn nostalgia) You can't tell in this pic but they've also covered the brick in some sections with some blackish material. It looks weird.

[DCRes]

Originally Posted by airhero

Wow that is a great read. Things must have really changed for the worse for that area in the 80s and 90s. I had no idea there used to be Safeway in Utah. I'd love to see the wonder bread building creatively reused at some point. I'd also love to see a small section of I-15 buried at some point.

I'm looking forward to the write-up on the Horsley building Isaac. I hope it's a great project that pans out.

Back in the day (1990-ish?), there was a Safeway where the new Marmalade Branch library is now on the corner of 500 N 300 W. I remember going there with my Grandma who lived very close to it. When Safeway left it became a Food Town or something like that, then I remember at some point it was a movie rental store called Movie Buffs. It was then vacant for a long time before eventually being torn down.

[stayinginformed]

Originally Posted by Marvland

The Horsley. Amazing building. Probably the most important historic commercial structure on the west side but a very very tough site. I negotiated it out of bankruptcy and had it under contract in 2015 and walked after digging in. I was going to put in a distillery in the main floor and basement and do a B&B renovation upstairs. I had to walk after 3rd party reports but one good thing came of it: I was able to get full-blown distilleries and breweries allowed in the TSA zones in SLC, so there's that (more on that angle later). A prominent builder, which I am not, chased it after me and couldn't land it. It then sold for too much money and has traded hands three times in the last two years, which is why it has sat as a cold shell with its windows removed (!!ACK!!) last winter. No parking, the lot is basically the building envelope. The previous owner wanted to knock it over and pave it for parking it for Grifolds (Biomat) in 2012 but ran into the Sugarhole ordinance. They lopped off all the land around it, built the new improved Biomat and encumbered it with some weird easements. I wish the new owner all the luck in the world as it really needs to be loved. Maybe he found a parking solution, which is what held everybody else back, along with the need for full seismic, roof, facade, etc. It was always an important part of the Guadalupe neighborhood and I'd love to see that old dame treated right. Here is a great history of the Horsley Building: http://fairparkcommunity.org/?p=60#.WdY1DGi3xPY

On another note, can somebody tell me who the moderators of this page are? They seem to be all over the place with their censorship. I've had a bunch of posts deleted and I need some clarity on the community before I waste any more time here. I am a small-beans developer with some fun stuff in the horn but I can't waste my time posting things that evaporate while the anti-SLC trolls run wild. Thx.

Marvland--your idea of putting a distillery and brewery in the Horsley building would have been awesome.

Speaking of the destruction of historic buildings, the Boys and Girls Club of Salt Lake City bought the historic church just north of the old Biomat/Horsley building at 131 North 600 West, and they plan to demolish the structure to build a new building. It makes me sick to think we would lose another institutional structure on the west side that has actually been kept up over the years. Here is some more info on the church: The structure was built in 1930 as an LDS ward house, was sold to the Catholic Parish and turned into the Guadalupe Center, an educational community center known as La Hacienda which served the area for many years. The building was turned into a residence 10-15 years ago by the Robinson family, and an addition was added on the north side that used the same brick and architectural style of the original to keep the building's historic presence. It is a contributing structure to the Salt Lake City Northwest Historic District which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here is an image of the church:

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by airhero

I went to the Jazz game last night, mostly to see the newly remodeled arena. I expected it to feel more different. Still is a lot nicer. I like how the new seats aren't over-padded. I'm disappointed the bathrooms weren't remodeled. I really hope they do that in the near future.

I passed through the Gateway and snapped a pic of the new screen on the clock tower:



Way better than a useless, ugly clock, but still a little awkward, especially in a place that is deader than ever. I really hope Vestar can have success with the Gateway.

Also the Olive Garden building is undergoing a makeover:



It lights up now! (cue Shilo Inn nostalgia) You can't tell in this pic but they've also covered the brick in some sections with some blackish material. It looks weird.

I likes them.

[bob rulz]

The artwork in Gateway may look a bit awkward now, but it fits in with their idea of what they want to do with Gateway. City Weekly just had a good article about it.
https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/ghos...nt?oid=5786013

They're really only just beginning to turn the place around. It will take a couple of years to know if they're on the right track, but supposedly they have a good track record with this sort of thing. I think turning it into an event/arts/community-focused shopping center is the only chance it truly has to survive. I think the appetite for it is there in this city, too.

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Marvland--your idea of putting a distillery and brewery in the Horsley building would have been awesome.

Speaking of the destruction of historic buildings, the Boys and Girls Club of Salt Lake City bought the historic church just north of the old Biomat/Horsley building at 131 North 600 West, and they plan to demolish the structure to build a new building. It makes me sick to think we would lose another institutional structure on the west side that has actually been kept up over the years. Here is some more info on the church: The structure was built in 1930 as an LDS ward house, was sold to the Catholic Parish and turned into the Guadalupe Center, an educational community center known as La Hacienda which served the area for many years. The building was turned into a residence 10-15 years ago by the Robinson family, and an addition was added on the north side that used the same brick and architectural style of the original to keep the building's historic presence. It is a contributing structure to the Salt Lake City Northwest Historic District which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here is an image of the church:

Are there not any kinds of codes or regulations that could prevent them from tearing it down? That would be a travesty. We have lost too many historic buildings.

[Marvland]

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Marvland--your idea of putting a distillery and brewery in the Horsley building would have been awesome.

Speaking of the destruction of historic buildings, the Boys and Girls Club of Salt Lake City bought the historic church just north of the old Biomat/Horsley building at 131 North 600 West, and they plan to demolish the structure to build a new building. It makes me sick to think we would lose another institutional structure on the west side that has actually been kept up over the years. Here is some more info on the church: The structure was built in 1930 as an LDS ward house, was sold to the Catholic Parish and turned into the Guadalupe Center, an educational community center known as La Hacienda which served the area for many years. The building was turned into a residence 10-15 years ago by the Robinson family, and an addition was added on the north side that used the same brick and architectural style of the original to keep the building's historic presence. It is a contributing structure to the Salt Lake City Northwest Historic District which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here is an image of the church:

Thanks stayinginformed. Still working on my distillery site. Hope to be able to share something in the next few months. That church building is awesome. I had heard that Boys and Girls Club had purchased it but was really expecting them to preserve the structure. I'd be really disappointed to see it get knocked over. I have walked it a number of times and the family that lived in it kept it up well. It was the 16th Ward Chapel, one of the original Mormon wards. There is a really neat history of the 16th ward floating out there somewhere. The current building is the fifth building. The first building was from 1849. The fourth was the grandest which burned down in the 1920's which this building replaced. It would be a shame to see this piece of history go.

[asies1981]

Post on the Maven District, a new wellness/lifestyle center on 900 South.

[bob rulz]

Speaking of alcohol, I saw beer from a new brewery called Kiitos at Harmons the other day. After doing some research I saw that this was one that was supposed to get off the ground a while ago and got delayed. Glad to see they pushed through and opened! With RoHa and the return of Fisher, that's at least 3 I can think of that opened this year alone.

Utah's microbrewery scene is booming.

Originally Posted by asies1981

Post on the Maven District, a new wellness/lifestyle center on 900 South.

900 South is becoming one of the most interesting streets in Salt Lake from west to east. Glad to see that ugly H&R block building getting a makeover, too! These are the kinds of minor touches that can really add character to a street.

[Liberty Wellsian]

It's time to do the Nines line.

Bus plus that can stop at existing trax stops.(or rail but I'm cool with saving money). 9th E University trax, 9th and 9th, central ninth trax, 9th west and Indiana.

[jubguy3]

That display looks... weird on the clock tower. I would have loved it in a modern atmosphere, but it just looks weird on the gateway's beige faux-arts casino aesthetic. Maybe they could redo the facades of all of the buildings in the gateway? Sometimes I think I'm going to walk out of there with oompa loompa skin.

I think I'm going to keep going. I really hate beige. Why is literally quite anything and everything beige in the gateway? Did they really just open a box of multigrain cheerios and say, "this is our color pallet?" The gateway is ugly and people know it. People like City Creek because the storefronts are visually dynamic and the mall is aesthetically pleasing. Its loaded with Everyone's Favorite Color but the developers were tasteful in adding other architectural features and allowing the custom storefronts to actually have some sort of identity (see: stuff like Anthropologie or Express).



Lord help me. Its like Las Vegas and an apartment complex in North Salt Lake had a baby.

[Marvland]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Speaking of alcohol, I saw beer from a new brewery called Kiitos at Harmons the other day. After doing some research I saw that this was one that was supposed to get off the ground a while ago and got delayed. Glad to see they pushed through and opened! With RoHa and the return of Fisher, that's at least 3 I can think of that opened this year alone.

Utah's microbrewery scene is booming.

CHEERS! Toasted Barrel is next. At least four more breweries in the pipeline for SLC that I know of including a player from Denver and a local outfit that will be large. Also, Fisher Brewing is doing a beer garden at the historic Fisher Mansion on Sat.

[ThePusherMan]

Originally Posted by Liberty Wellsian

It's time to do the Nines line.

Bus plus that can stop at existing trax stops.(or rail but I'm cool with saving money). 9th E University trax, 9th and 9th, central ninth trax, 9th west and Indiana.

The Nine line seems to be developing with or without the city's help. I love myself a good linear district. Maybe one day we will even get a trolly line connect the west side with the east side. I'd love to see a trolly line run along one side of the street or the other so that you can board easily from the side walk and one lane of car traffic in both directions. It's already pretty damn walkable so you'd only need minor work on the sidewalk/park strip. Plant a few trees in some areas and call it good.

I walk/bike from my house near liberty park to Water Witch/Tinwell/Proper/Fisher/Laziz/Blue Copper quite often and I really enjoy it. Except for that damn Toyota dealer of course.

[Ironweed]

Originally Posted by Orlando

I likes them.

No offense guys, but those brick buildings on that corner are a sad effort. Hopefully in the next 200+ years they might be replaced with real office buildings.

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by Marvland

CHEERS! Toasted Barrel is next. At least four more breweries in the pipeline for SLC that I know of including a player from Denver and a local outfit that will be large. Also, Fisher Brewing is doing a beer garden at the historic Fisher Mansion on Sat.

4 more? That's excellent news! I'm pretty new to the craft brew scene and still pretty much a beer novice but I've enjoyed trying so many different types. Crazy to think that 30 or even 20 years ago you basically only had the choice of big generic national brands.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Ironweed

No offense guys, but those brick buildings on that corner are a sad effort. Hopefully in the next 200+ years they might be replaced with real office buildings.

Agreed, but adding some cool lighting and façade treatment is better than the existing stuff.

[el conquistador]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

4 more? That's excellent news! I'm pretty new to the craft brew scene and still pretty much a beer novice but I've enjoyed trying so many different types. Crazy to think that 30 or even 20 years ago you basically only had the choice of big generic national brands.

Can SLC breweries serve beer that is higher than 4% on tap? Or do they have their own rules? I know they can sell bottles that are high ABV.

Sorry I don't live there and have lost track of the booze laws.

On that note, I have a friend from high school who will be opening another brewery in SLC here soon. Looks to be a good one, too.

[bob rulz]

All tap beer in Utah is still 4% ABV, unfortunately.

[el conquistador]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

All tap beer in Utah is still 4% ABV, unfortunately.

Sorry all.

[asies1981]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Speaking of alcohol, I saw beer from a new brewery called Kiitos at Harmons the other day. After doing some research I saw that this was one that was supposed to get off the ground a while ago and got delayed. Glad to see they pushed through and opened! With RoHa and the return of Fisher, that's at least 3 I can think of that opened this year alone.

Utah's microbrewery scene is booming.



900 South is becoming one of the most interesting streets in Salt Lake from west to east. Glad to see that ugly H&R block building getting a makeover, too! These are the kinds of minor touches that can really add character to a street.

Kiitos just opened up in the Granary too so it helps the neighborhood continue its evolution into a brewery district.