[SLC Projects]

So if anyone has read the utah valley thread this morning will know that this past week there was been word that Frank Gehry could be building a 5-star hotel in Lehi that could be utah's new tallest building.


Well the rumors are true....

Here is a news paper report on this project,


GRACE LEONG - Daily Herald
Cabela's may have placed Lehi on the map for outdoor enthusiasts, but a project designed by America's architect du jour Frank Gehry could place the city on the world stage.

To be announced Friday, the mixed-use project -- which includes high-end shopping and restaurants, a wakeboard lake, a five-star hotel and convention center, and a residential community -- is the brain child of Brandt Andersen, the 29-year-old majority owner of the NBA Development League for Utah and software entrepreneur.

The project will be located on Andersen's 85-acre property on the east side of Interstate 15 south of Point of the Mountain and north of Cabela's and the proposed Terrace at Traverse Mountain lifestyle center in Lehi. It will be unveiled in its entirety on Jan. 31.

"This is Gehry's first project in Utah," Andersen told the Daily Herald on Wednesday. "If you look at Gehry's projects across the world and the projects he's now working on, he's arguably one of the most creative minds of our time, a complete genius. He designs not around what he loves. He designs with the environment, the surrounding atmosphere and historical features in mind."

The creative mind behind the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Gehry challenges conventional definitions of space and structure in aesthetics and architecture. In 1989, Gehry was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, deemed the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for architecture, said Bill Miller, a professor of architecture with the University of Utah.

Some critics describe Gehry as a master of deconstructivism -- the post-modern movement his work appears to personify but which he disavows any association with, according to Wikipedia.

Pending city approval, construction is scheduled to begin this summer. When completed, the project is expected to generate between 500 and 1,000 new jobs, Andersen said.

"With Thanksgiving Point, Cabela's and now a Gehry-designed development, this is making Lehi a major focus of activity that no one, 15 years ago, could have imagined," said Miller.

"It's like having the Salt Lake Public Library designed by Moshe Safdie," he said. "Doing great architectural work doesn't always have to be in Los Angeles or New York. Small towns are places where you can do interesting buildings. And in this case, this is an interesting project by a forward-thinking developer and a world-renowned architect."

Miller declined to speculate on how the mixed-use project will look.

"But it'll be like Frank Gehry meets Park City log and stone. It won't look like a very large Park City house, but will be more iconic and have a wider range of expression," he said. "Gehry designed housing complexes in Los Angeles early in his career and also designed the Santa Monica Place, a shopping mall. This project will bring his range of experiences together."

Gehry's style is very idiosyncratic and personal, Miller said. "He has developed a direction of architectural expression that yields these unique power forms that are very expressive sculpturally. He's concerned with surfaces, technology and uses a lot of metal because of the sinuous surfaces he creates."

"Utah is not well known for its architectural stature. Gehry will, with our help, create something that will stand as an architectural icon for our state," Andersen said.

In 1999, Andersen founded uSight, a Provo developer of e-Commerce software for small businesses. In 2004, the company was ranked the nation's second-fastest growing privately held company by Inc. Magazine, and a part of uSight was later sold to Kansas City-based NMR Inc. Andersen also was the youngest CEO to make the Inc. list. A Brigham Young University communications graduate, he is the general partner and owner of The Lakes at Sleepy Ridge in Orem.

Ultimately, a Gehry-designed project will be a big traffic generator, Miller said.

"Architecture is a commodity today," Miller said. "Why do major civic institutions go to signature architects? Because they want the power that architect brings to the building. People will come to see the buildings, whether they like it or not. We visit them because it's done by important architects and designers and it shows how they realize their thinking. It helps raise consciousness to see there's life beyond the shopping mall, the normal."




Ok so the announcement is on Friday ( Tomorrow ) for sure with a even bigger announcement to come by the end of this month. This is huge people! This project could be just as BIG as the "City Creek Center" project in downtown Salt Lake City. So therefor I'm giving this Gehry 5-star hotel project it's very own thread.


:banana: :cheers: :tup: :notacrook: :worship: :banana: :) :cheers: :notacrook: :tup: :yes:

[delts145]

:banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride: :banaride:

People, this is HUGE!!!!!!!!! I can't begin to tell you what I think this will do for the entire Wasatch Front. We talk and talk about whether we will get a Neiman's soon or a W hotel downtown. This is the kind of a project that will put the Wasatch in to a major, "Upscale Spotlight." In Los Angeles, Gehry's Disney Hall has helped to generate a huge multi-billion dollar rennaisance machine downtown. THIS IS ALMOST AS EXCITING AS THE CITY CREEK CENTER!!!!!!!!!!!

[shrek05]

What exactly is the animal that the banana is riding in that emoticon? hahaha

Sounds pretty exciting. What hotel brands would you like to see them woo?

[alphawolf]

[QUOTE=shrek05;2572304]What exactly is the animal that the banana is riding in that emoticon? hahaha=QUOTE]

Its a soulsucker...REEEEEEAAA

[delts145]

Quote:Shrek05,
Sounds pretty exciting. What hotel brands would you like to see them woo?

:previous:

That's what I was just wondering. What would you think? Let's see,there's three five star's under construction right now. Two in Park City, and one next to Lake Powell. We still don't have a Ritz and this could be it. I think local homeboy/billionaire,(Marriott) owns the Ritz chain. I don't have the foggiest! Somebody give us some help. Maybe kpexpress knows. If not tomorrow, I imagine they will announce it on the 31st.

[delts145]

[QUOTE=shrek05;2572304]What exactly is the animal that the banana is riding in that emoticon? hahaha=QUOTE]

Its a soulsucker...REEEEEEAAA

I don't know, but it makes me laugh everytime when I see it. It also brings the kid out in me, like when I saw Star Wars for the first time.

[SLC Projects]

And groundbreaking on the hotel could be this summer!!! :cheers:

[delts145]

And groundbreaking on the hotel could be this summer!!! :cheers:

:whip: :whip: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If we could put sound to this thread, ........RAWHIDE would work :whip: :whip:

[delts145]

http://www.nysun.com/images/logo_new.gif


A Tale of Two Urban Plans
Architecture

By JAMES GARDNER
January 16, 2007

http://www.nysun.com/pics/46755_main_large.jpg
Frank Gehry's the Sails in Chelsea (right, photo credit: Konrad Fiedler), and his Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles (left, photo credit: Allan Barnes). In Los Angeles, architects and buildings have the necessary room to dream, James Gardner writes. There has always been robust competition between New York and Los Angeles. Or more precisely, between New Yorkers and ex-New Yorkers, since many Angelenos originated in the city which they now reject with all the fervor of a convert to a new creed. That being so, one might expect that, in regard to these two latitudinal antipodes of America, there would be energetic competition in the matter of architecture as well. And yet that is not the case. Among those New Yorkers who care about things architectural, the serious competition has been coming out of Chicago, rather than points farther west, for the past century or so. And though Los Angeles does possess architecture — it is, after all, a city — you don't have the impression that the majority of its citizens care greatly about their buildings, and surely these do not enter materially into any assessment of the Angelenos' municipal identity. Indeed, the argument could be made that venturing out West in the first place was in large measure a rejection of architecture, especially those big agglomerations of it that usually define a city.

In part this has to do with the respective origins of each city. New York, a few centuries older than Los Angeles, represents the organic evolution of a trading post that grew and grew until eventually it encompassed the whole of Manhattan and beyond. And though its progress above 14th Street was influenced by the central planning of a grid, promulgated back in 1811, there has always been something higgledy-piggledy about its development, with the all-powerful real estate market dictating its progress.

Los Angeles, by contrast, was scarcely on the map before 1900. What put it there was the movie business, and what caused it to expand exponentially was the automobile — as opposed to New York, whose growth was determined, after the Civil War, by elevated trains and then the subway.

But the nature of Los Angeles's expansion was entirely different from New York's. The conceptual premise of Los Angeles was the Garden City so dear to turnof-the-century urbanists like Ebenezer Howard and his disciple Lewis Mumford. In what would one day become better known as suburbia, the Garden City aspired to redeploy the urban population into a mass of green plots, each with enough lawn in front of it to give home-owners the feeling that they were in nature. That was in part the ideal of Robert Moses as well. This long-time commissioner of New York City's parks elevated the automobile to an almost sacramental status, conveying people from their green patches in suburbia to their office towers in Midtown. The result was, in varying degrees, a disaster.

Nevertheless, the consequence of this two-track evolution was that the defining architectural fact of New York was the building, in a multiplicity of vertical forms, while that of Los Angeles was the private home, a largely horizontal affair. And a further consequence was that, whereas New York, and especially Manhattan, is perhaps the most pedestrian friendly urban center in the world, few cities are as antagonistic to the pedestrian as Los Angeles. Locomotion there is so much the province of the automobile that mass transit scarcely exists.

The architectural style of Los Angeles is largely determined by such circumstances. Lateral expansion on the mainland, as opposed to vertical expansion on an island, results in an air of greater freedom from regulations and from citizen groups. Whereas everything in New York is regulated to the hilt, in ways that are often fatal to imaginative architecture, in Los Angeles structures and architects have room to breathe and dream. It is no accident that Frank Gehry — the most famous of Los Angeles's architects — could build his warped titanium Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. This enormity, which served as the template for his Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, would have been unimaginable in New York, where Mr. Gehry's one completed structure to date, the Sails, on 18th Street and 11th Avenue, is a far tamer and inferior product.

Half a mile south of the Sails stands Richard Meier's one completed project in New York, three residential towers on Perry and Charles streets. Though well turned out, they are far less bold and imaginative than his Getty Museum, even though that very different project is itself far from perfect. It would seem then that there is a kind of gravitational drag that weighs down on architects in New York that is not present in Los Angeles.

This is especially true as regards the private home, a building typology with little or no relevance to New York City. Here again, Mr. Gehry is a representative example, above all in one of his early works, the deconstuctivist house he built for himself out of chicken wire, corrugated aluminum, and cinder blocks that first earned him the international reputation he enjoys today. For such an architectural act, there is no equivalent and there can never be an equivalent, in the city of New York.



------------------------------------------------------------------------

[shrek05]

^^ Interesting.

I don't know if it will be a Ritz because they tend to have a similar style and not innovative/newe liek Gehry goes for. I actually think W Hotel would be a good fit. Maybe a JW Marriott or Morgans Hotel...too many options.

[delts145]

So if anyone has read the utah valley thread this morning will know that this past week there was been word that Frank Gehry could be building a 5-star hotel in Lehi that could be utah's new tallest building.


The project will be located on the east side of Interstate 15 south of Point of the Mountain and north of Cabela's and the proposed Terrace at Traverse Mountain lifestyle center in Lehi. It will be unveiled in its entirety on Jan. 31.

"If you look at Gehry's projects across the world and the projects he's now working on, he's arguably one of the most creative minds of our time, a complete genius. He designs not around what he loves. He designs with the environment, the surrounding atmosphere and historical features in mind."

The creative mind behind the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Gehry challenges conventional definitions of space and structure in aesthetics and architecture. In 1989, Gehry was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, deemed the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for architecture, said Bill Miller, a professor of architecture with the University of Utah.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer. When completed, the project is expected to generate between 500 and 1,000 new jobs, Andersen said.

"With Thanksgiving Point, Cabela's and now a Gehry-designed development, this is making Lehi a major focus of activity that no one, 15 years ago, could have imagined," said Miller.

"It's like having the Salt Lake Public Library designed by Moshe Safdie," he said. "Doing great architectural work doesn't always have to be in Los Angeles or New York. And in this case, this is an interesting project by a forward-thinking developer and a world-renowned architect."

"It'll be like Frank Gehry meets Park City log and stone. It won't look like a very large Park City house, but will be more iconic and have a wider range of expression," he said.

"Architecture is a commodity today," Miller said. "Why do major civic institutions go to signature architects? Because they want the power that an architect brings to the building. People will come to see the buildings, whether they like it or not. We visit them because it's done by important architects and designers and it shows how they realize their thinking. It helps raise consciousness to see there's life beyond the shopping mall, the normal."


:tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:

"It'll be like Frank Gehry meets Park City log and stone." I can't wait to see the rendering of this baby.

[delts145]

^^ Interesting.

I don't know if it will be a Ritz because they tend to have a similar style and not innovative/newe liek Gehry goes for. I actually think W Hotel would be a good fit. Maybe a JW Marriott or Morgans Hotel...too many options.

I was just checking and Voila. I didn't realize it, but the 5 star just completed by Gehry in Spain is a STARWOOD property.

[wrendog]

wrendog is friggin' giddy with excitement!

[jedikermit]

Me giddy too.

[delts145]

LOL, SLC is so giddy he's out taking pics of the sight right now. I think we're going to have some of the plot pics here this evening.

[kpexpress]

I love all this excitement..........first thing that came to mind, "I told you so."

I have seen a rough model (to scale) of the project, and I must say that when it hits the papers/web all you out there that have some extreme far out idea of what the project might look like (i.e. gehry meets log and stone of park city) will be shocked and surprised to see that the plans far exceeded all of your aspirations.

Hands down give props to Brandt, in the chaos of single-track-minded developers like Trophy Homes, Ivory Homes, etc. one man dares to create something with class and value, props to Brandt, the guys got style.:tup:

[SLC Projects]

LOL, SLC is so giddy he's out taking pics of the sight right now. I think we're going to have some of the plot pics here this evening.

Sorry to let you down delts, but I didn't get any pics of the site. Sure we went down there to Cabellas, but anything north of Cabellas are homes and hills. Not much room to built anything there. So I wasn't really sure where the site is. :shrug: I would be net to see where this hotel will be built. be kind of weird to see all these one to two story homes and then having a highrise, tallest hotel building just next door. :shrug:
Somehow I'm thinking it could be built south of Cabellas since there seems to be more flat open land there vs the north end.

[delts145]

KP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So will there be some sort of conceptual tomorrow or on the 31st, OR WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :haha:

[kpexpress]

KP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So will there be some sort of conceptual tomorrow or on the 31st, OR WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :haha:

Don't know. I will tell you what I see tomorrow, and if there is a model and it is made public, I will take some pictures and post if I am allowed to. His office is a few doors down from where I work so when he has the scale model there............I will see what I can do.

[plinko]

For those of us who don't live in Utah...where's Lehi? and does anyone have photos of the proposed site?

[WonderlandPark]

edit double post

[WonderlandPark]

North of Provo, south of SLC, closer to Provo than SLC.

http://www.google.com/maps?q=Lehi,+UT&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image

[JCarp]

[QUOTE=plinko;2572893]For those of us who don't live in Utah...where's Lehi?QUOTE]

Basically, Lehi is halfway from Provo to Salt Lake City, due north of Utah Lake, and just south of “point of the mountain” (where the two mountain ranges on either side of the valley just about touch). Hopefully that helps.

Now another question for those who are more knowledgeable as to all things Utah… Isn’t the new Commuter Rail going to be going right through this area? And is there a station planned anywhere nearby?

[rodan]

WOW if it is a new tallest I'm going to go crazy! I'm excited now heeheheheh.

I just hope this gets some asses moving in salt lake city! I better see a new utah's tallest in the next 2 years in salt lake!

[kpexpress]

[/QUOTE]Now another question for those who are more knowledgeable as to all things Utah… Isn’t the new Commuter Rail going to be going right through this area? And is there a station planned anywhere nearby?[/QUOTE]

SOMEONE CORRECT ME IF THINGS HAVE CHANGED, BUT FRONTRUNNER SHOULD GO CLEAR TO NEPHI (that meaning it would connect through Lehi, A.F., P.G., Orem, Provo, Spanish Fork, etc.)

ANYONE HEARD DIFFERENT?

[delts145]

[QUOTE=plinko;2572893]For those of us who don't live in Utah...where's Lehi?QUOTE]

Basically, Lehi is halfway from Provo to Salt Lake City, due north of Utah Lake, and just south of “point of the mountain” (where the two mountain ranges on either side of the valley just about touch). Hopefully that helps.

Now another question for those who are more knowledgeable as to all things Utah… Isn’t the new Commuter Rail going to be going right through this area? And is there a station planned anywhere nearby?

JCarp, In all of the excitement we forgot to bring that up. Yes, the commuter will be right at the doorstep with a station included.

[wrendog]

front runner will only go to Payson IIRC

[SLC Projects]

I love all this excitement..........first thing that came to mind, "I told you so."

I have seen a rough model (to scale) of the project, and I must say that when it hits the papers/web all you out there that have some extreme far out idea of what the project might look like (i.e. gehry meets log and stone of park city) will be shocked and surprised to see that the plans far exceeded all of your aspirations.

Hands down give props to Brandt, in the chaos of single-track-minded developers like Trophy Homes, Ivory Homes, etc. one man dares to create something with class and value, props to Brandt, the guys got style.:tup:


:previous:
I would love to be a fly on a wall in that room during that meeting tomorrow. :haha:

[i-215]

Really, though. I'm not totally excited....

I mean, do we really want a "downtown renaissance" at the Highland/Alpine exit? Shouldn't they try to put it in Provo or Salt Lake?

Oh well, either way, it'll be another landmark. I won't get excited until I see some renderings, though.

[delts145]

Shouldn't they have tried to put Thanksgiving Point in Provo or Salt Lake? There are a million reasons why all of these new projects are working at the Traverse Ridge area and would not get off the ground in downtown Salt Lake or Provo. Let's just over simplify all the reasons and lump them in to one,"MONEY." Does anyone have any idea how many acres and how many billions it would take to put together that acreage that now encompasses Thankgiving Point and Traverse Mountain, but in a Downtown setting? Let's be grateful the LDS Church had the muscle,previous ownership in place,and good-will to spend a few billion downtown these past few years. Look what happened when Earl Holding developed just one 10 acre block for his five-star hotel.Remember our little friend from the Flower Patch? Or,something that to this day has me scratching my head,"The Main Street Plaza."Bar none that is one of the most beautiful downtown urban jewels in the world. The self-interests and politics of so many different factions downtown makes it incredibly difficult to develop large areas in one swoop. Of course,if you have Saudi Money and are very generous,you just pay everyone off and you're not so concerned about the bottom line.

[SLC Projects]

Today is the day of that big meeting. Let's hope that they will unveil some rendings of the project today. or at least give us some more info on this project.

:banana:

[delts145]

SLC, were you as frustrated as me with the continuing coy approach on the City Creek conceptuals? Geeeeez, C'mon already. I understand the reasons, I'm still impatient.

[delts145]

Frank Gehry is hired to design a high-end commercial and residential lifestyle center

By Paul Beebe
and Lesley Mitchell
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 01/18/2007 11:42:56 PM MST


World-renowned architect Frank Gehry has been hired by a Provo entrepreneur to design a high-end commercial and residential real estate project in Lehi.
The project will be unveiled today during a private luncheon at Thanksgiving Point where Gehry will speak about his philosophies on urban living and design, said Brent Wilhite, a spokesman for entrepreneur Brandt Anderson.
Anderson, founder and chief executive officer of Provo business development firm G Code Ventures, did not return a telephone call seeking comment Thursday. But his company's Web site says Gehry was hired to design a "high-end lifestyle shopping center and restaurants, as well as a five-star hotel and residential community" near Point of the Mountain in northern Utah County.
"When completed, this Gehry  collaboration in Lehi, Utah, promises to become an architectural icon of the western United States and marks the first time Frank Gehry has agreed to work on a project in the state," said the Web site.
Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson said Thursday the development has not been formally proposed to local government, but that he has known about the basic plans for months.
"I would think the whole area would be thrilled with it," Johnson said.
Gehry, 76, holds the Pritzger Architecture Prize, the world's premiere architecture honor. His buildings include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao,
Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Many of his projects have become tourist attractions. He is now designing an addition to the Philadelphia Museum of Art that will be underground.
Anderson, 29, owns The Lakes at Sleepy Ridge, a residential real estate project surrounding the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in Orem. He is general partner and majority owner of the National Basketball League's Development League for Utah, which prepares players and coaches for the NBA.
So-called "lifestyle shopping centers," such as the one proposed by Anderson are growing in popularity, said Jon Anderson, a Utah County specialist with Commerce CRG, a commercial brokerage. Lifestyle centers include specialty shops, restaurants and theaters or other entertainment components, most of which are accessible by outdoor walkways.
"It's a nationwide trend," he said.
Two of the best known lifestyle centers in Utah are The Gateway shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City, which is surrounded by apartments, condominiums and offices. The Riverwoods in Provo is another example.
At least two other lifestyle centers are being planned in Pleasant Grove and Lehi, said Anderson of Commerce CRG.
---
* TODD HOLLINGSHEAD contributed to this report.

[kpexpress]

Hey Hey Hey, the day has come and I'm all giddy to meet this guy and hear Mr. Gehry's ideas and concepts for the Lehi project.

ofcourse, I am taking my camera to get any pics I might see of the design and hopefully a shot of me with the master of destructivism himself.

Brandt said he would try to introduce me to him.:notacrook:

hear that? .......giddy, like this:banana: :banana:

[wrendog]

sweet! can't wait.. you gonna be able to post pics this afternoon? how much are you allowed to say from this meeting? thanks man

[delts145]

:notacrook: Okay, so that had better be a digital camera. :notacrook:

[Makid]

Isn't it lunch time yet?

[kpexpress]

:notacrook: Okay, so that had better be a digital camera. :notacrook:

:koko: ofcourse

[kpexpress]

I just found an interesting read for everyone here who is unsure about what will be put into this project to make it an architectural jewl for Utah.

Read Brandt Andersen's welcome letter on the homepage of his companies website, quite interesting.

Not your average developer here :tup:

the link http://gcodeventures.com/

[JCarp]

:previous:

Thanks for the link. When I opened it I found this...

http://gcodeventures.com/images/gcode-properties-aerial2-lg.jpg

If I am not mistaken, this is where the Frank Gehry designed highrise & lifestyle center will be. Just north of Thanksgiving Point as previously mentioned.

[Utaaah!]

I wonder what scintillating recipies Mr. Anderson cooked up to achieve sufficient success with his "baking" software to finance a F. Gehry project. Perhaps he'll have enough moola left over to hire a good copy editor.

From the gcodeventures.com website:

In 1999 during the midst of the of the dot.com crash, Brandt Andersen formed uSight.
uSight provides software and services for small to medium size e-commerce businesses, including software for website creation and baking to allow them to conduct business over the Internet. uSight has been the industry leader in merchant banking applications and website creation software tools. uSight's innovative products and services lead to a rapid growth in customers and services.

In October 2004 Inc. Magazine ranked uSight No. 2 on its list of the nation's 500 fastest-growing private companies in America during their annual INC 500 publication.

In 2004 a portion of uSight was sold to Kansas City based NMR INC.

*emphasis added

[kpexpress]

Hey I was thinking as I prepare to go to Thanksgiving Pointe for the press announcement, anyone have any questions for Gehry. -not saying I will have the oppurtunity to ask, but if i do what are some questions that you want to see him answer?

[delts145]

Ask him if he's a cinema geek like alot of us and if he will have a chance to catch a flick at Sundance with Bob Redford. :haha: :shrug: Kp, You'll probably have a million questions you'll want to ask him.

[rodan]

[QUOTE=shrek05;2572304]What exactly is the animal that the banana is riding in that emoticon? hahaha=QUOTE]

Its a soulsucker...REEEEEEAAA

:jester: That was funny. REEEEAAA

[rodan]

Sorry double post. I can't wait to hear what it said. ANd from that picture I can't believe that a highrise will be built in the middle of that . . pretty much the middle of nowhere imo.

[jedikermit]

Sorry double post. I can't wait to hear what it said. ANd from that picture I can't believe that a highrise will be built in the middle of that . . pretty much the middle of nowhere imo.

...but it won't always be.

[SLC Projects]

:previous:

Thanks for the link. When I opened it I found this...

http://gcodeventures.com/images/gcode-properties-aerial2-lg.jpg

If I am not mistaken, this is where the Frank Gehry designed highrise & lifestyle center will be. Just north of Thanksgiving Point as previously mentioned.



wow so that's where it's going to be. I was driving right by that site on thurday trying to find where the site was. I was close where I was guessing it would be. But that field is just a big hole in the ground right next to the I-15. The hotel might not even look that tall if it's built in that hole. LOL. But I like once it gets built that 5-star hotel will be the first thing to see when driving into utah county and the last thing to see while leaving utah county. I bet that meeting is going on right now as i'm writing this post. This is driving me nuts. They better show us some rendings. :haha:

[wrendog]

what's taking so long? come on info!

[SLC Projects]

For reals, My eyes are GLUED to my computer as we speak just waiting for somthing to happen. :whip:

[Makid]

Okay, Lunch should be over by now. Unless it was based on the Hawaiian time zone...then we might just have to wait longer...

[i-215]

I want to see some renderings so I get excited. When does the meeting get over? It's 4 PM... that's a long meeting!

[SLC Projects]

Okay, Lunch should be over by now. Unless it was based on the Hawaiian time zone...then we might just have to wait longer...

LOL, Most of been a very long lunch.

[kpexpress]

So I just got back from the press conference at T.P. with Brandt Andersen and Mr. Frank Gehry.

It was a small meeting room with all of Lehi City planners, mayor and other council members. There were also some investors and tons of media there to hear about the new project.

Started off Brandt discussing his basis for creating such a project. He lives a healthy lifestyle with class and wants to promote this sort of life with all who visits this development. He mentioned that there will be a 5 star hotel, 12,000 person NBA arena, major retailer and many shops and restraunts along the shores of the lake (which will have a wakeboard park and will be built to competition ski/wake standards), also in the development will be many residential areas (didn't put a number of how many).

Then Gehry:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f221/Kpexpress/IMG_1816.jpg

Basically Gehry mentioned that the project will engage all who visit it. It will become an architectural icon for the area. Through out the design process the community will be able to see many different models and offer their oppinion. Currently they have finished the study of the site plan and layout of the project, also figured out the density of each part of the project. That is what I believe have seen....the model.

Then they went into a different room to answer questions from the press.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f221/Kpexpress/IMG_1821.jpg
I really didn't get to ask him any questions myself but did get to meet him, shake his hand and chat for a bit until the Lincoln Navigator came and whisked him into the ugly inversion of the Wasatch Front.

[Makid]

I can see us all actively refreshing the screen wanting any news that will be coming out about this...

The chanting has begun....

Give us new...Give us news...Give us news...Give us news...Give us news...

Repeat until news shows up.

[i-215]

Gheary won't give us anything to look at?

Fine! Then, here's my rendering of his project.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/utradioguide/joke.jpg

[SLC Projects]

Well hold on I bet he's posting the pics right now of the project. Give him a few mins. :haha:

[i-215]

Oh okay. I'm just impatient.

[wrendog]

a 12000 seat arena? wow.. that's pretty dang big for it's purpose..

[kpexpress]

Well hold on I bet he's posting the pics right now of the project. Give him a few mins. :haha:

Sorry everyone. They didn't reveil anything at the press conference today, but there will be a masterplan unveiled on the 31st of this month.

[SLC Projects]

Gheary won't give us anything to look at?

Fine! Then, here's my rendering of his project.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/utradioguide/joke.jpg




Very Nice. :tup: Hope the building is really that big too.

[wrendog]

Sorry everyone. They didn't reveil anything at the press conference today, but there will be a masterplan unveiled on the 31st of this month.

aaaaargh.. so today was really nothing? bummer..

did they give any ideas on how big the hotel will be? what the hotel will be? restaraunts? stores?

[kpexpress]

Very Nice. :tup: Hope the building is really that big too.

From what I have seen (the density model) the hotel tower looked very sleak and slender, but tall. I would have to guess (compared to the 12,000 seating arena next to it) that it would surpass the 25 - 30 floor mark. But that is just my guesstimation off of what I have seen.

[SLC Projects]

From what I have seen (the density model) the hotel tower looked very sleak and slender, but tall. I would have to guess (compared to the 12,000 seating arena next to it) that it would surpass the 25 - 30 floor mark. But that is just my guesstimation off of what I have seen.


WOW, 25-30 Stories!!!!

:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:

[jedikermit]

Gheary won't give us anything to look at?

Fine! Then, here's my rendering of his project.


You forgot the competition wakeboarding lake!

[Northernlad]

Did they indicate how large the fake lake will be? utah is a pretty dry state so it makes me wonder if the water supply be constant? It is too bad that Utah Lake is so polluted and cannot be utilized like it should be.
Good news for Lehi!

[wrendog]

and the odds of this whole project actually being built at all? odds that it is built within a couple years?

I'm excited

[kpexpress]

Hold On Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guessed (based on the model I saw) it looked like it could be that tall. Don't quote me or go to your grave with this info.

The lake will be 25 acres or so.

The likely hood of this all going down is 100%. Brandt personally owns the land and the team that will be the foundation for the whole project.

[delts145]

Kp, I understand construction is actually suppose to begin very soon.

[kpexpress]

Kp, I understand construction is actually suppose to begin very soon.

don't know

[Ute_City]

Gehry's Existing Buildings....perhaps one like it in Lehi?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Guggenheim-bilbao-jan05.jpg/800px-Guggenheim-bilbao-jan05.jpg

Guggenheim - Bilabo, Spain

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d6/WaltDisneyConcertHall.jpeg/800px-WaltDisneyConcertHall.jpeg

Walt Disney Concert Hall - Los Angeles, CA

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Praha_Tancici_dum.jpg/800px-Praha_Tancici_dum.jpg

Dancing House - Prague, Czech Republic (co-designer)

[jedikermit]

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Famed architect vows to design something "strange" for Utah
By Steve Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 01/19/2007 04:03:41 PM MST


Posted: 3:25 PM- LEHI - Spain, the Czech Republic, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and - Lehi? World-renowned architect Frank Gehry left New York on Thursday after meeting with the mayor about a stadium he is designing in Brooklyn. His next stop: a town not known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling lifestyle, but for its Roller Mills: Lehi, the northern Utah County city where Gehry will design a massive commercial and residential project near the Point of the Mountain.
Gehry is responsible for some of the most notable post-modern structures in the world's biggest cities - from the titanium-covered Guggenheim Museum in Spain to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Lehi's healthy living-oriented project will include a 12,000-seat arena, wakeboarding lake, five-star hotel, high-end lifestyle shopping center, restaurants, offices and residential housing, said Brandt Andersen, CEO and owner of G Code Ventures. Andersen also is the force behind bringing Developmental League NBA basketball to the state in November of 2007.
"This is a unique site," Andersen said of the 80-acre property just east of Interstate 15 and north of State Route 92. "It will be a uniting force between Salt Lake County and Utah County." Though he would not discuss details of the site plan until its unveiling scheduled for Jan. 31, Gehry said he would work with the community to develop something with the modesty and respect of local values.
"I know this can't be a King Kong show-off thing," Gehry said.
"But some of it will look strange to you. If it doesn't, I'm not doing my job." Gehry's past projects have endured criticism from the communities where they were built. When he built the Guggenheim, he said a candlelight vigil of 300 locals organized a procession against him.
"But now I could live for free in Bilbao," he joked.
Lehi City Administrator Jamie Davidson said it is unclear how long it will take for the project to gain the necessary approvals, including rezoning. But he said he is excited and expects residents to have varied reactions.
"Some will be concerned that this will not be native to the state," Davidson said. "But this is an exciting time for our city. He has a worldwide reputation for building unique gathering places."

[jedikermit]

From KSL:

Famous Architect to Design Major New Development in Lehi
January 19th, 2007 @ 4:54pm
Sam Penrod Reporting

Utah and specifically Lehi, Utah, doesn't seem to be a natural fit with the name of Frank Gehry, in the world of architecture. But today Gehry signed-on to design a unique hotel and resort at the Point of the Mountain.

Frank Gehry is arguably one of the best architects in the world, with some very impressive buildings that he's designed in his career.



And now, he has signed on with 29-year-old software executive Brandt Anderson, to create a five star hotel, convention center, and 12-thousand seat arena on this property at the Point of the Mountain.

Brandt Anderson, Developer: "To be able to create an amazing project that essentially gives you for lack of a better phrase, a monument, as you come and go and I see it as coming into Utah County or coming into salt lake county."



Gehry of course is known for his unique design of the new Guggenheim museum in Spain and another recent work is the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and he promises something special here.

Frank Gehry, Architect: "It's comfortable, engaging, it's different, you learn from it, it's an experience, it's like when you see a great painting and it changes your life."

Anderson is the owner of the NBA's new developmental league franchise in Orem and is putting his young fortune behind the project.

Better yet, he's convinced a world renowned architect to design it.

Brandt Anderson, Developer: "It just didn't seem appropriate to put another mediocre housing development in the project and it's not really what I'm about anyway and so it just required. There is no one like Frank and so it required Frank."

Of course the question we wanted Gehry to answer is: "What is it going to look like?" He says he is just getting started, but promises it will be one of a kind.

[jedikermit]

...and here are some comments from the KSL Message Board:

I am thrilled at the thought of this. He's a great architect and am happily suprised at his involvment in this local project. I can't wait to see his ideas!



Sometimes, more is less
Report Commentby James t. kirk @ 7:38pm - Fri Jan 19th, 2007

I have mixed feelings on this project. As someone who has enjoyed the point-of-the-mountain area for most of my life, in it's undeveloped state, part of me is saddened that it's going to be paved-over and built-up. It was such a nice place to hike, fly R/C gliders, and watch the hang-gliders over the years. Even the residential developments on the north side don't seem like an improvement to me, although the view from those houses is undoubtedly what sold the properties.
Hopefully the new structures on the southwest side will harmonize with their surroundings, and not stand as a monument to the architect's ego. It will take sensitivity and respect for the land to make this project visually successful. I hope it's not solely a money grab. Good luck to the developers, please do it right!





Great!!!
Report Commentby Mark M. @ 7:47pm - Fri Jan 19th, 2007

I'm elated at the news of his involvement. I have been a fan of his since my days in the architecture program at the U. I am equally as impressed by the changing character of Utah County. For many years, Provo, and Utah County as whole, would make major announcements of a quality development only to have our hopes dashed by big talking, here today gone tomorrow wannabe's. Hopefully everything will come together. With the Salt Lake City library designed by Sofdie, and this development by Gehry, soon you will set a higher standard in local architecture and design.

[jedikermit]

...and a picture of the site...

http://media.bonnint.net/slc/69/6945/694516.jpg

[delts145]

:tup: :tup: Thanks Jedi for the fantastic posts. This is a very exciting project for the entire area. I really do think that this project will only contribute to the momentum of the whole metro.

[delts145]

Architect Gehry views Lehi land as 'canvas'
By Steve Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 01/20/2007 01:15:18 AM MST

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2007/0120/20070120__ut_gehryspeaks_0120~1_Gallery.jpg
Frank Gehry Pushes envelope«»

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2007/0120/20070120__ut_gehryspeaks_0120~2_Gallery.jpg
photo by, Javier Bauluz/The Associated Press
The Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is reflected in the water of Nervion River in Bilbao, Spain. Gehry has been recruited to design a Lehi development.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2007/0119/20070119_113947_Lehi-5-star-hotel_200.gif
Lehi rising/ Renowned architect Frank Gehry will design a massive commercial and residential project in Lehi

LEHI - Spain, the Czech Republic, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and - Lehi?

World-renowned architect Frank Gehry left New York on Thursday after meeting with the likes of rapper Jay-Z and Mayor Michael Bloomberg about a $400 million arena he is designing in Brooklyn.
Gehry's next stop: Lehi, a town not known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling lifestyle, but instead for its Roller Mills. Nonetheless, the northern Utah County city is where Gehry will design a massive commercial and residential project near the Point of the Mountain.
"I know this can't be a King Kong show-off thing," Gehry said. "But some of it will look strange to you. If it doesn't, I'm not doing my job."
Gehry is responsible for some of the most-notable postmodern structures in the world's biggest cities - from the titanium-covered Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Lehi's project - the price tag wasn't revealed - will include a five-star hotel, 12,000-seat arena, wake-boarding lake, upscale shopping center, restaurants, offices and housing, said Brandt Andersen, CEO and owner of G Code Ventures.
Andersen also is the force behind bringing Developmental League NBA basketball to the state, starting in November 2007.
"This is a unique site," Andersen said of the 80 acres just east of Interstate 15 and north of State Route 92. "It will be a uniting force between Salt Lake County and Utah County."
Said Gehry: "This site is very beautiful, like a blank canvas."
Though he would not discuss any design details, Gehry vowed to work with the community to develop a project with a "modesty" that respects local values.
Gehry's past works have endured criticism from the communities where they were built. When he created the Guggenheim, he recalled, a candlelight vigil of 300 locals organized a procession against him.
"But now I could live for free in Bilbao," he joked.
Andersen said he recruited Gehry because he wanted the development to become an icon for the state.
"The work he's created will stand for centuries to come," Andersen said.
Gehry said he and his team of about 160 workers will show models of the project as it progresses. He said he often develops between 40 and 50 as the community offers its input.
He added that budget controls will prevent the project from becoming a "runaway train."
Neither Gehry nor Andersen could say how many housing units would be built and what they would cost. They said they would take into account the area's market.
When asked if the area would compete with two new hotels and a convention center planned for Pleasant Grove, Andersen said, "It's hard to compare a Frank Gehry building to an Embassy Suites."
Lehi City Administrator Jamie Davidson said it is unclear how long it would take for the project to gain the necessary approvals, including rezoning. But he said he is excited and expects residents to have varied reactions.
"Some will be concerned that this will not be native to the state," Davidson said. "But this is an exciting time for our city. He has a worldwide reputation for building unique gathering places."
sgehrke@sltrib.com
What's next

* Developers will unveil a master plan for the project Jan. 31

[delts145]

Legendary architect agrees to design a big Lehi project

By Amy Choate-Nielsen
Deseret Morning News
LEHI — On paper, it looks like the beginning of a joke: What do Prague, Barcelona and Dusseldorf have in common with Lehi?

http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/3714687.jpg
Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News
World-renowned architect Frank Gehry talks about the project he plans to design in Lehi for Utah County entrepreneur and real estate developer Brandt Andersen.

The answer is legendary architect Frank Gehry.
And while jaws may drop at an announcement that Gehry will soon be designing an urban-inspired community in northern Lehi, it's definitely serious — and nobody's laughing.
Utah County entrepreneur and real estate developer Brandt Andersen announced Friday that he plans to build a five-star hotel, residential neighborhood, lake, shopping district and convention center/arena near the Point of the Mountain just off of I-15.
"This is a very unique site," Andersen said. "And as an iconic piece of property between Salt Lake County and Utah County, it was crucial that we create, and bring in someone who could help us create, a development that would stand as an icon for the state, and particularly for Lehi city. In thinking that, there was obviously no other choice than world-famous Frank Gehry."
Further details of the development will be released on Jan. 31 along with a model of what the buildings may look like, but Andersen says he envisions that the community will be designed to foster an active lifestyle.
The project will likely be centered on a man-made lake, Andersen said, which will be open to wake boarding and waterskiing.
The project proposal, still in its early stages, has not been submitted to Lehi officials. But although the land will require a zone change, Lehi officials are so far welcoming the idea.
Andersen doesn't yet know the project's estimated cost or if he will ultimately seek public funds to help pay for it, but he is sure of one thing: if Gehry is doing the project, it will be worth it.
"It seemed like Frank was the right choice," Andersen said. "Working with him is just an amazing experience. I believe he will create something that meshes with the environment but maintains the true Gehry style."
That doesn't mean that the building will be traditionally pretty, however.
Gehry, who has designed and won prestigious awards for numerous office buildings, concert halls and museums — including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain — says his job is to make a structure that, at first, looks "strange." His famous designs are sometimes curved and sinuous, while other buildings appear tilted and askew.

http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/3715148.jpg
Getty ImagesThe Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is one of the structures designed by Frank Gehry.

"The idea of doing something special architecturally means it's going to look weird when you first see it," Gehry said. "It would be my intent to make something that's not an eyesore, but something that will be impressive."
Gehry already has a long list of projects that are impressive, including his plans to design the future basketball arena for the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
The arena, on which London-based Barclay's Bank will be spending about $300 million to have it named after its institution, was announced on Thursday.
Gehry attended the announcement, which was hosted at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, rapper Jay-Z and NBA Commissioner David Stern.
On Friday, he rubbed elbows at a lunch table with Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson, and he faced a room of people, some of whom had never before heard of him.
Although Gehry should be accustomed to popularity, as he casually mentioned meeting Clint Eastwood and talked about turning down Donald Trump multiple times, the "starchitect" says he likes the anonymity Utah County can give him.
He also doesn't mind that Lehi is little, compared to other cities he has worked in. In fact, it's one of the reasons Gehry agreed to take the project.
"It's very enticing, because when you do something in a big city, the bureaucracy runs at you," Gehry said. "When you can get into a smaller place where you can actually have lunch with the mayor, it all leads to a much richer project."
Although Johnson may enjoy having lunch with Gehry, his eye is on something else, and it's not the fame that could come to Lehi with a well-known architect.
Johnson is most excited about the project's proposed lake, which Andersen has agreed to let Lehi use as a secondary irrigation reservoir. The city would be able to store water in the lake and use it when necessary.
"That is of a rather sizable financial value to Lehi," Johnson said. "So all of this that they're doing is going to be a nicety on top of a necessity."


http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/0120gproj.jpg
Deseret Morning News graphic

[SLC Projects]

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2007/0120/20070120__ut_gehryspeaks_0120~1_Gallery.jpg
Frank Gehry Pushes envelope«»




:previous:
Gehry sure is getting old. Does anyone know what his age is? :shrug:

[delts145]

Lehi goes postmodern with Frank Gehry


GRACE LEONG - Daily Herald
If it doesn't look strange to you, then Frank Gehry isn't doing his job.

But the world-renowned architect of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, promises to design a mixed-use development in Lehi that won't be a "King Kong show-off" or an "eyesore for the community."

:tup: :tup: And Gehry wants lots of local community feedback on the study models he and his team will present at future City Council meetings.

"The idea of doing something special architecturally means it will look weird when you first see it," Gehry, 77, told a group of business and political leaders at a private luncheon at Thanksgiving Point on Friday.

"But we won't build something that people won't buy into. It's subtle how culture translates into architecture. And there is a culture in Utah."

"I'm not a prima donna," said Gehry, who is based in Los Angeles. "I want to show models, study models so you can question, even complain. The input of a community is what makes it more relevant and exciting for me.

"These projects are not runaway trains. There's a lot of budget control and we will be respectful of financial constraints," Gehry said. "We usually develop 40 to 50 study models, exhausting all possibilities. You will see what we accepted, what we rejected, so you'll understand the trajectory of thinking."

The proposed project -- financed by Brandt Andersen, a Provo entrepreneur and majority owner of the NBA Development League for Utah -- will include a 12,000-seat arena, a five-star hotel, high-end shopping, restaurants, offices, a wakeboarding lake, and a massive residential community.

Andersen could not immediately specify the cost of construction, but said it will be "one of the most substantial real estate investments" in Utah.

Sitting on 85 acres on the east side of Interstate 15 south of Point of the Mountain and north of Cabela's and the proposed Terrace at Traverse Mountain lifestyle center in Lehi, the project, including land rezoning, is now pending city approval. Further details will be announced on Jan. 31.

Calling the site a "blank canvas," Gehry said he is inspired by what he called a "Utah landscape quality, the big flat spaces that relate to the mountains."

"There's a quiet quality I like. It will be intriguing to figure out how to emulate that," said Gehry, a frequent Deer Valley skier.

Other factors that made the Lehi project appealing was the quality of Andersen's vision and the apparent absence of "big city bureaucracy," Gehry said.

"We've turned down projects that sounded very interesting to do in favor of things that we can accomplish that will be new and different. It always boils down to the people you're working with."

"Brandt seems to have a good sense of community. He is not Donald Trump. There's a modesty and a megalomaniac visionary quality I like about him," Gehry said.

Andersen says he hopes this project will help bridge the division between Salt Lake and Utah Counties.

"This project will be a uniting force between Salt Lake County and Utah County. It will combine a sports lifestyle and healthy living," he said.

"This site is probably the most recognizable piece of property left on the Wasatch Front. It doesn't seem appropriate putting a mediocre residential community on that property."

While the project may have stoked much public interest, a lot has not been revealed yet, said Joel Racker, president of the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and one of the participants of Friday's luncheon.

"We want to know who they're targeting for the project, when it'll be done, which hotel developer they will engage, how much conference and meeting space will be available," he said.

Lehi City Administrator Jamie Davidson agreed, saying he's not familiar enough with the project's concept and the site yet to provide projections of potential traffic generated by the project.

"But Frank Gehry's structures are always big regional draws," he said.

Still, his work provokes extreme reactions and isn't always understood and accepted, at least in the beginning. When he built the Guggenheim, there was a candlelight protest against him by 300 people in northern Spain, he said.

"But now I can live for free in Bilbao," he quipped. "Hopefully, I'll get the same reception here in Utah, except for the candlelight procession."

[delts145]

GO TO, www.nba.com/dleague/utah/

http://www.nba.com/media/dleague/nba_dleague_hdr_utah.jpg

http://www.nba.com/media/dleague/utah_main_061204.jpg

The NBA Development League (D-League) has awarded an expansion team to Orem, Utah, for the 2007-08 season, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today. The team will play at the McKay Event Center.


Read the first installment of owner Brandt Andersen's blog

Watch the press conference video
“The D-League continues to provide the NBA and its teams the opportunity to cultivate talent, test new ideas and give young roster players a means to improve through game competition,” said Stern. “That commitment, coupled with delivering the game of basketball in an affordable, fun and family-oriented atmosphere, has more investors seeking to bring the D-League to their communities.

“Our minor league has a proven track record of developing talent both on and off the court, a trend we expect to continue,” said Stern. “Since the D-League’s inaugural season in 2001-02, more than 100 players, coaches, referees, athletic trainers and front-office personnel have moved to NBA teams or the league office.”

The team is owned and operated by Brandt Andersen, Founder and CEO of G Code Ventures. Over the past several years Andersen, 29, has been investing and working on cutting-edge creative projects and businesses. In 1999, while attending Brigham Young University, Andersen founded uSight, a leading provider of software products and services for small businesses. In 2004 uSight was named the second-fastest growing privately held company in America by INC Magazine. Andersen was the youngest CEO to make the list. In 2004, he sold a portion of the company to Kansas City based NMR Inc.

Andersen is currently the general partner and owner of two large real estate development projects, The Lakes at Sleepy Ridge surrounds the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course, a Dye Family Course, in Orem, Utah. He is also the general partner and owner of a real estate project for which he has employed the services of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry of Frank O Gehry and Associates. When completed, this Gehry collaboration in Lehi, Utah promises to become an architectural icon of the Western United States and marks the first time Gehry has agreed to work on a project in Utah.

Andersen graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. He resides with his wife and two children in Provo, Utah. He has received multiple awards for entrepreneurship and continues to be a sought-after speaker.

"We are really excited to bring an NBA Development League Team to Utah County. This is a great place to live and work, and a community that loves basketball,” said Andersen. “Our goal is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience for our community. We can hardly wait for the opening tip."

The NBA Development League currently includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders (Calif.), Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

“Brandt Andersen is the kind of entrepreneurial, passionate owner that is a perfect fit for the D-League,” said NBA D-League President Phil Evans. “The Utah County area is a market appreciative of quality basketball and entertainment options. We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Brandt to deliver both for years to come.”

[jedikermit]

I love what I'm seeing so far about this. I hope the city administrators (who seem to be on board so far) don't freak out over the designs. And I hope the designs are pretty damn freaky. They're right about not wanting another boring housing development there. Do something interesting.

[BuiLDing GuRL]

:previous:
Gehry sure is getting old. Does anyone know what his age is? :shrug:

He was born in 1929, so he's 77-78.

As much as I hate some of his later work, some of his earlier ones I don't mind that much. Even though I would have rather had another architect be designing this project I can't help but be excited about whats to come! Even if it's not my cup of tea its bound to be a very interesting design.

[delts145]

I love what I'm seeing so far about this. I hope the city administrators (who seem to be on board so far) don't freak out over the designs. And I hope the designs are pretty damn freaky. They're right about not wanting another boring housing development there. Do something interesting.

Jedi, did you notice in the Herald article, Gehry talked about working closely with local officials. The man seems to be far from the ego-maniacal standard of some celebrated architect's/artist's. I was glad to see that.

[delts145]

He was born in 1929, so he's 77-78.

As much as I hate some of his later work, some of his earlier ones I don't mind that much. Even though I would have rather had another architect be designing this project I can't help but be excited about whats to come! Even if it's not my cup of tea its bound to be a very interesting design.

BuiLDing GuRL and SLC, I also dug this little info. bio up,

Frank Owen Gehry, (born Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Ontario on February 28, 1929) is a Pritzker Prize winning architect based in Los Angeles, California.

His buildings, including his private residence, have become tourist attractions. Many museums, companies, and cities seek Gehry's services as a badge of distinction, regardless of the product he delivers.

His best known works include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which is covered in titanium, Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles, Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, and his private residence in Santa Monica, California, the latter of which jump-started his substantive career and lifted it from the stature of "paper architecture", a phenomenon in which many famous architects are observed to have experienced their formative decades experimenting almost exclusively on paper before receiving their first major commission in their later years.

[jedikermit]

Jedi, did you notice in the Herald article, Gehry talked about working closely with local officials. The man seems to be far from the ego-maniacal standard of some celebrated architect's/artist's. I was glad to see that.

Oh, believe me--I've read every word TWICE. And it seems like Lehi's officials seem to be more open to development in unusual forms than other local cities. Which blows my mind. LEHI. It's not what it used to be. I just don't want to see the rest of Utah County revolt against this.

Actually, I kinda do. But I want Andersen, Gehry & co to win. :hell:

[delts145]

:previous:

You know, Yes, I think this incredible Lehi trend has a lot to do with it's strategic location, but also the Ashton's of Word Perfect fame. I have been told so many times what incredibly kind and great people they are to work with. They really did have a vision with Thanksgiving Point.

[jedikermit]

I need to stop checking this forum until Jan. 31st. That's the only way I'm going to survive the next week and a half.

[SLC Projects]

I need to stop checking this forum until Jan. 31st. That's the only way I'm going to survive the next week and a half.

You and me both. We only got 11 days til the 31st. :slob:

[SLC Projects]

Here is another report from KSL.
Most of it we already know. But what was said in the end of this report has got me wondering just how long this project is really going to take.



Famous Architect to Design Major New Development in Lehi
January 19th, 2007 @ 4:54pm

Sam Penrod Reporting

Utah and specifically Lehi, Utah, doesn't seem to be a natural fit with the name of Frank Gehry, in the world of architecture. But today Gehry signed-on to design a unique hotel and resort at the Point of the Mountain.

Frank Gehry is arguably one of the best architects in the world, with some very impressive buildings that he's designed in his career.


And now, he has signed on with 29-year-old software executive Brandt Anderson, to create a five star hotel, convention center, and 12-thousand seat arena on this property at the Point of the Mountain.

Brandt Anderson, Developer: "To be able to create an amazing project that essentially gives you for lack of a better phrase, a monument, as you come and go and I see it as coming into Utah County or coming into salt lake county."


Gehry of course is known for his unique design of the new Guggenheim museum in Spain and another recent work is the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and he promises something special here.

Frank Gehry, Architect: "It's comfortable, engaging, it's different, you learn from it, it's an experience, it's like when you see a great painting and it changes your life."

Anderson is the owner of the NBA's new developmental league franchise in Orem and is putting his young fortune behind the project.

Better yet, he's convinced a world renowned architect to design it.

Brandt Anderson, Developer: "It just didn't seem appropriate to put another mediocre housing development in the project and it's not really what I'm about anyway and so it just required. There is no one like Frank and so it required Frank."

Of course the question we wanted Gehry to answer is: "What is it going to look like?" He says he is just getting started, but promises it will be one of a kind.




Ok so at the end of the KSL report it says that Gehry is just getting started with the overall designs. And if you watch the news video on ksl.com they siad that it could be about a YEAR OR SO before we would see anything. I kind of hope it's not going to take that long, but yet this is a huge project and it will take some time. So Is the groundbreaking still set for this summer? Who knows. Guess we will have to wait til the 31st to hear more on this and maybe get a timeline of this project. :yes:

[kpexpress]

Oh, believe me--I've read every word TWICE. And it seems like Lehi's officials seem to be more open to development in unusual forms than other local cities. Which blows my mind. LEHI. It's not what it used to be. I just don't want to see the rest of Utah County revolt against this.

Actually, I kinda do. But I want Andersen, Gehry & co to win. :hell:

I was in the meeting on Friday and saw the mayor and all other members of Lehi City Council and every single one of them seemed extremely excited about the project.

When I was leaving I listened in the mayor chatting with Gehry about hocky, it was nice to seem them both meeting on common ground when they realized that they both were from Canada.

Really no signs from the mayor that he had much concerns about the possible designs, it really seemed that they were anxious to see how this project will really benefit Lehi and the state of Utah.

One funny thing that I saw was a reporter from the local (Lehi) newspaper respond to what Gehry said about the community envolvment, she said something gay like, "So you did mention that you wanted to keep in close conctact with the public and pay close attention to their opinions and advice throughout the design process. As you know Lehi is home to many cowboys, so does this mean will can expect to see a large cowboy riding a purple pony?"

Such a stupid question I know, but it was quite funny to see the reaction to Gehry, Brandt and all the other News guys when they realized that she was really serious about her question.

Rediculous. That goes to show that Lehi is in desperate need of changes and Gehry coming to town is just what they need. Well................after thinking about it, Gehry and Lehi project is what the whole state needs.

I am excited to see the renderings and know that Gehry and Brandt wont disappoint anyone here.

[Happy Valley Freak]

I am so excited about this!!!!!!! I live in AF and I thought nothing like this would ever happen but it is! lol! Yay! I'm so happy cuz Midtown Village is going up, the Hotel towers in Pleasant grove, and now this! It's awsome!

[SLC Projects]

I am so excited about this!!!!!!! I live in AF and I thought nothing like this would ever happen but it is! lol! Yay! I'm so happy cuz Midtown Village is going up, the Hotel towers in Pleasant grove, and now this! It's awsome!


For reals there is alot of great projects going on right now for you guys down in happy valley. Nice to see that soon utah valley will have it's own collection of highrises.

[SLC Projects]

One funny thing that I saw was a reporter from the local (Lehi) newspaper respond to what Gehry said about the community envolvment, she said something gay like, "So you did mention that you wanted to keep in close conctact with the public and pay close attention to their opinions and advice throughout the design process. As you know Lehi is home to many cowboys, so does this mean will can expect to see a large cowboy riding a purple pony?"





WTF? They should fire her for asking such a stupid ass question. :koko:

[StevenF]

Gheary won't give us anything to look at?

Fine! Then, here's my rendering of his project.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/utradioguide/joke.jpg

If you have ever seen any of his own hand drawings of his designs that looks a lot better. :)

[kpexpress]

WTF? They should fire her for asking such a stupid ass question. :koko:

You know those unpleasent pauses that happens after someone says something totally retarded? Thats what happened when everyone in the room realized that she was serious.

Naive people like that bug me, just kind of closed off to outside influences.

Good flick to see is "This State Divided" you will see what I am talking about.

Big changes to Lehi.......:whip: hop on board and quit living in the past.

[jard]

Wow, sounds like a sweet project for Utah - congrats

[mdiederi]

If you have ever seen any of his own hand drawings of his designs that looks a lot better. :)
There's a museum exhibition of his models and drawings for a building he's doing down here in Vegas, and you're absolutely correct.

Anyway, he did over a hundred preliminary models for his small building down here, so you guys will probably be getting a lot to look as the design evolves.

[Happy Valley Freak]

Yay! I'm excited lol!

[delts145]

There's a museum exhibition of his models and drawings for a building he's doing down here in Vegas, and you're absolutely correct.

Anyway, he did over a hundred preliminary models for his small building down here, so you guys will probably be getting a lot to look as the design evolves.

:tup: Thanks to Mdiederi for the great lead,
related story:Feb.2006

Gehry goes to Vegas
Famed architect Frank Gehry has lent his talent and bold vision to Las Vegas, helping to create an Alzheimer's research institute.

Gehry unveils design for Las Vegas medical center

By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Architect Frank Gehry presented his design for a new Alzheimer's research center in Las Vegas on Saturday, unveiling an uneven stack of blocks anchoring a swooping trellis made of Gehry's signature contorted steel.


The latest work from arguably the most famous American architect will house the Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute, a proposed center for the research and treatment of neurological disorders funded by Las Vegas liquor distributor Larry Ruvo.

Backers are hoping the building also will become the city's first architectural icon that doesn't house slot machines.

"This is something that will separate us from any other place on the face of the earth," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. "I know (tourists) are going to come down to downtown Las Vegas to take a look at this phenomenon."

The 55,000-square-foot facility will sit in a corner of a 61-acre site in downtown Las Vegas, the epicenter of the mayor's efforts to create a cultural hub in a city struggling to establish its highbrow credentials.

As he unveiled his model, Gehry called the design a "mouse that roars," in part because the 5-story building will likely be dwarfed by planned high-rise developments on the site and a boxy nearby furniture market - not to mention the 200-pound elephant five miles south, the Las Vegas Strip.



Gehry said he didn't consider the glitz of the Strip when creating the design and he didn't intend the building to be a riff on the complexity of the human brain that will be studied within its walls. Some have suggested the more ordered geometric medical office and research building that anchors the design represents the right side of the brain, while the chaotic steel and glass canopy enclosing a banquet hall is the left.

Instead, Gehry, 76, said he envisioned Italian Renaissance painters' renderings of a mother's arms cradling a child.

"It's always about the fold," he said. "That is the metaphor, it's a comforting image."

Gehry said the canopy will be made of steel, not the titanium used in one of his best known creations, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Gehry also designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.




Mercury World Report
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/gehry/lrai/2ruvo.jpg

Gehry promises 'forgettable' design for Alzheimer's Center


In his first press conference since receiving the prized commission, renowned architect Frank Gehry vowed to produce an "eminently forgettable" design for downtown Las Vegas' Alzheimer's Research Center, saying he envisioned "a doddering old edifice that is but an empty shell of its former self."

The internationally renowned architect told reporters he hoped to create a structure that would "metaphorically lash out at those who love it most" and would leave passersby wondering what in the world happened to the kind and gentle building they used to know.

"I'm seeing a cold and distant structure of undulating steel," Gehry said. "With windows that will not meet your eyes, but seem to stare off into a distracted past of scrambled memories. In your heart, you will know there's someone inside, but because of the steel skin, they will not be able to recognize you."

[SLC Projects]

Mercury World Report
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/gehry/lrai/2ruvo.jpg
."

That's just weird.