Quote:
Originally Posted by Orlando
Ubelievable, Delts! Once again, you amaze me by your optimism.  But, forgive me if I think you are a little naieve.  check out all of the readers comments from this article listed in sltrib about all the highrises going up along the wasatch front. Most of thes comments completely back my position that this is the wrong scale of development, and should be stopped. Delts, c'mon man!  Wake up! Who are you kidding? Yourself?
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I will assume Orlando that the inclusion of smiley and his friends, would mean that your remarks are meant in a very friendly manner, which I appreciate very much. Somehow though, I have failed to communicate effectively an opinion of what I think is happening with Traverse Ridge. Please keep in mind, not what I necessarily prefer to happen, or would personally push myself.
The Gehry Project will proceed in phases, not in 'ONE FELL SWOOP.' This is how it has been presented to the VERY SAVY Frank Gehry, and this is how he understands it. Just as the huge project of Thanksgiving Point has proceeded in phases, "the speed at which this Project proceeds, will depend on the speed at which this hub area grows." Orlando, somehow you seem to assert that this project is of the wrong scale at this time. Yet, in the same breath we cannot deny the obvious of what this junction will become in 15 to 20 years. Projects like this do not happen overnight, no matter what the typical hype of almost all developers. Brandt is only performing the typical dance of every developer, in order to stake his territory. In my estimation it would be more correct to assert that this development will not happen as quickly as the developer would like, but it will happen over time. How quickly remains to be seen.
It is important to understand that this geographic location screams for this type of development. It is the 'Perfect Storm' of a location for what is being planned. It's very large and booming demographic, is one of the most educated, and easily the largest, affluent demographic in the Wasatch Region. It is also an area, which is attracting some of the highest rates of affluent 'in-migration' in the West. Again, the dye has already been cast. This is and will continue to be the largest, most affluent, and among the fastest growing demographic areas in the mountain region.
Of course, there is the fact that this project is but a piece of the puzzle of which 100's of millions of dollars in resort, commercial, residential, and business development has already been successfully completed in the immediate vicinity. Never mind that the I-15/92 Junction has emerged as one of the current fastest growing, class A business parks in the Metro, or that it's expanding resort is already one of the most visited, successful and highly rated destination resorts in the Mountain Region. Many people seem to be clueless to the fact that the Gehry Project is no more than a, "ultra- fancy, multi-purpose, mixed-use destination resort," "an extension of the already booming Thanksgiving Point."
Much of what goes on with the
measured pace of development of these Gehry Towers, is merely in keeping with the uber-demand in this specific area for prestige office space, close to affluent communties such as Traverse Ridge, Alpine, Highland, and Draper,etc. Again, and I stress this, "The fact that this area will become the largest, most affluent demographic is already set." And there is still room for easily a quarter million plus more people in the immediate area.
I know this totally upsets several people on this forum, that most wealthy businessmen in South Salt Lake Valley and North Utah Valley would much prefer to lease space in a prestigious tower with views of Timp only a few minutes from their doorstep, rather than commute to downtown Salt Lake or Provo/Orem. It is a fact that many with the cash to do so want that option, whether a particular group of 'urbanista planners' feels it meshes with their creed or not. Much as Century City or Bellevue developed, or any one of a few hundred other core's in this country, so will go Traverse Ridge over the next twenty years and beyond.
In addition to office space, these towers also will function as Hotel/Fractional Condo/Second Residence ownership for affluent destination vacationers, who want to golf at what is already rated as one of the most beautiful top courses on the No. American continent. Many will want to be within walking distance to Front Runner, or spend time at one of the largest and most beautiful formal gardens in the country, stock up at Cabela's, or Wakeboard. In addition to the resort aspect, high-end shopping will definately evolve around this junction. A few people need to understand that really by far, the largest critical mass of Neiman Marcus/Sak's type shoppers along the Wasatch, are within minutes of this junction. That is not to say that a 'Neiman Marcus anchored mall' is going in over the next couple of years. However, there will be an evolution of high-end shops, restaurants and entertainment, catering to the destination resort itself, and the large wealthy populous of the immediate area.
Downtown Salt Lake has a long list of unique niches that will continue to be developed and expanded under the very capable leadership of the Governor and it's current Mayor. Sure, what happens with Sandy or Traverse Ridge will dillute and spread some of the focus away from Salt Lake, but only a certain niche. There is not a major city in the world, whether it is Toronto, San Francisco ,New York, Paris, London, Seattle,Tokyo or L.A's, Wilshire Corridor, which has not developed in the same way as that which is taking place here along the Wasatch. To ignore the many obvious and comparative realities of the 'now' and future of Traverse Ridge, and then dictate one's own personal opinion absolutes, would make no sense to a successful and patient developer, who understands historical trends.
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Then again, as soon as this economic downturn makes it's cycle, we'll probably head into another phase of crazy growth. Projects like Traverse Ridge could happen sooner than we expect.
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