Salt Lake: If you could tear down one building

[ajiuO]

Inspired by the never-ending debate regarding the Shilo Inn.

If you could tear down one Building in Salt Lake City. What would it be and why?

[ajiuO]

Im going to get my head ripped off for this... but. If i could tear down one building (and I wouldn't choose the Shilo Inn). It would be the Salt Palace.

Honestly! I can't stand the thing. I have hated it ever since they started added on to it in the 1980's. It Messes up the flow of our street, and divides the city. I think when the delta center was built and they decided to rip down the arena and go full on convention center that it would have been a good opportunity to open 100 south and 200 west back up and relocate the convention centre to a more logical location... like the western edge of downtown. possibly behind west high or behind where the gateway is now... we already have I15 so merging blocks wouldn't be as bad as it is so close to the center of down town.

I hate the idea of merging blocks

[SLC Projects]

I have to agree. It takes up two and a half blocks and still isn't big enough. From the sky it looks like a grant warehouse right in the middle of downtown. Its a shame they can't somehow build upwards insteed of outwards.

[Scraperdude801]

I also agree, especially because the the Salt Palace was built over Salt Lake's little China Town (now there is finally some ghetto version being built in South Salt Lake, but it just isn't the same). Even though I think Earl Holding was wrong for the way in which he tried to persuade the city to build a new convention center on his land (the parking lot block just south of the new courthouse,) I secretly hoped the city would take the bait so the Salt Palace could be relocated, torn down, and the DT could grow organically between the Gateway and CCC, expanding our skyline westward, and upward, instead of destroying our limited stock of irreplaceable vibrant historical buildings every time someone decided they wanted to build a new skyscraper. Additionally, the Holding block, the parcels to the W of the Matheson courthouse (4oo S - 500 S on Main) and the 400 S block from W Temple to 200 W would have been a more ideal setting because:

1. The 400 - 500 S corridor are already home to very large, entire block, civic structures such as: City County Building, Library, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel, Frank E. Moss Courthouse & Expansion, the new Public Safety building, south side of Pioneer Park, Rice Eccles stadium (albeit up the road) and thus: the scale of a convention center would have been more natural in this neighborhood.

2. The 400 - 500 S corridor (especially 500 S) has developed as thoroughfares, and future Grand Boulevards, that never really experience lots of pedestrians on a daily basis.

3. The buildings listen in point #1 receive their influx of people for large events such as: fairs, protests, and celebrations -- a convention center would fit right into the theme of the neighborhood.

4. It's better for the Gateway, CCC, Pioneer Park, Broadway arts district, and all the independent retailers mixed between for their to be ample room for a large DT neighborhood to grow in their midst.

It seems like this will never be the case though. I wish that instead of expanding the Salt Palace westward, they would build vertically, and eventually place a green roof/ urban park/ statue garden / zen garden atop the building with food carts and benches so it would be a more aesthetically appropriate view for those wishing to live in our current, and future condo/apartment towers DT. People could walk, or ride an escalator up the eastern portion of the building, walk through the park setting, and then walk down the other side of the building and be in the Gateway/Arena neighborhood. Imagine the views as well! Salt Lake already has the Library, and Conference Center which allow people to walk up to the roof -- this could be a defining theme for Salt Lake architecture. As it stands, the Salt Palace is underutilized, and its design is hurting DT growth as much as the conventions it brings in helps the city, what with being such a large structure, segregating the city, and only being of use a couple times a year -- an accessible park roof could make it useful by connecting the city, and drawing people to it even when there are no conventions in town.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I also agree, especially because the the Salt Palace was built over Salt Lake's little China Town (now there is finally some ghetto version being built in South Salt Lake, but it just isn't the same). Even though I think Earl Holding was wrong for the way in which he tried to persuade the city to build a new convention center on his land (the parking lot block just south of the new courthouse,) I secretly hoped the city would take the bait so the Salt Palace could be relocated, torn down, and the DT could grow organically between the Gateway and CCC, expanding our skyline westward, and upward, instead of destroying our limited stock of irreplaceable vibrant historical buildings every time someone decided they wanted to build a new skyscraper.

It seems like this will never be the case though. I wish that instead of expanding the Salt Palace westward, they would build vertically, and eventually place a green roof/ urban park/ statue garden atop the building so it would be a more aesthetically appropriate view for those wishing to live in our current, and future condo/apartment towers DT.

It was actualy Japan town

And yeah the china town in south salt lake is a bit of a gimic... But at least they are finally doing somthing with the old fread Meyer building ... That property has looked like crap for a long long time

[Future Mayor]

Never mind

[arkhitektor]

I don't think there are really any buildings in the city which 'must' be torn down, we have enough parking lots in the city to supply years and years of growth-

That said-
I've never liked any of the buildings around the intersection of W. Temple and 200 S. The Shilo Inn has obvious aesthetic flaws, the parking garage/office building on the NE corner isn't spectacular, the 2-3 lowrise brick buildings on the SE corner seem out of place, the Hilton looks like a Vegas casino from the 80's, the old Chase bank / Ruth's Chris buildings aren't very exciting and though they add density, the American Towers condos have almost no street presence at all.

I wouldn't advocate demolishing any of these- overall, it just isn't my favorite area of town to spend any time. Seven lanes of W. Temple traffic cutting through the area don't help at all....

[chad.farnes]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

It seems like this will never be the case though. I wish that instead of expanding the Salt Palace westward, they would build vertically, and eventually place a green roof/ urban park/ statue garden / zen garden atop the building with food carts and benches so it would be a more aesthetically appropriate view for those wishing to live in our current, and future condo/apartment towers DT. People could walk, or ride an escalator up the eastern portion of the building, walk through the park setting, and then walk down the other side of the building and be in the Gateway/Arena neighborhood. Imagine the views as well! Salt Lake already has the Library, and Conference Center which allow people to walk up to the roof -- this could be a defining theme for Salt Lake architecture. As it stands, the Salt Palace is underutilized, and its design is hurting DT growth as much as the conventions it brings in helps the city, what with being such a large structure, segregating the city, and only being of use a couple times a year -- an accessible park roof could make it useful by connecting the city, and drawing people to it even when there are no conventions in town.

I like the idea but it isn't a possibility anymore. They just covered the entire roof of the salt palace with solar panels. There is no room to walk, and even if there was, I don't think that the owners would want the public up there with the possibility of the panels getting vandalized. So while it is a good thought, it can't happen.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I also agree, especially because the the Salt Palace was built over Salt Lake's little China Town (now there is finally some ghetto version being built in South Salt Lake, but it just isn't the same). Even though I think Earl Holding was wrong for the way in which he tried to persuade the city to build a new convention center on his land (the parking lot block just south of the new courthouse,) I secretly hoped the city would take the bait so the Salt Palace could be relocated, torn down, and the DT could grow organically between the Gateway and CCC, expanding our skyline westward, and upward, instead of destroying our limited stock of irreplaceable vibrant historical buildings every time someone decided they wanted to build a new skyscraper. Additionally, the Holding block, the parcels to the W of the Matheson courthouse (4oo S - 500 S on Main) and the 400 S block from W Temple to 200 W would have been a more ideal setting because:

1. The 400 - 500 S corridor are already home to very large, entire block, civic structures such as: City County Building, Library, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel, Frank E. Moss Courthouse & Expansion, the new Public Safety building, south side of Pioneer Park, Rice Eccles stadium (albeit up the road) and thus: the scale of a convention center would have been more natural in this neighborhood.

2. The 400 - 500 S corridor (especially 500 S) has developed as thoroughfares, and future Grand Boulevards, that never really experience lots of pedestrians on a daily basis.

3. The buildings listen in point #1 receive their influx of people for large events such as: fairs, protests, and celebrations -- a convention center would fit right into the theme of the neighborhood.

4. It's better for the Gateway, CCC, Pioneer Park, Broadway arts district, and all the independent retailers mixed between for their to be ample room for a large DT neighborhood to grow in their midst.

It seems like this will never be the case though. I wish that instead of expanding the Salt Palace westward, they would build vertically, and eventually place a green roof/ urban park/ statue garden / zen garden atop the building with food carts and benches so it would be a more aesthetically appropriate view for those wishing to live in our current, and future condo/apartment towers DT. People could walk, or ride an escalator up the eastern portion of the building, walk through the park setting, and then walk down the other side of the building and be in the Gateway/Arena neighborhood. Imagine the views as well! Salt Lake already has the Library, and Conference Center which allow people to walk up to the roof -- this could be a defining theme for Salt Lake architecture. As it stands, the Salt Palace is underutilized, and its design is hurting DT growth as much as the conventions it brings in helps the city, what with being such a large structure, segregating the city, and only being of use a couple times a year -- an accessible park roof could make it useful by connecting the city, and drawing people to it even when there are no conventions in town.

China town was on plumb alley (a north south street that existed between regent street and State Street.

BTW, I like that building. All it needs is street level retail with windows windows windows, but only on the first floor.

[bunt_q]

I admit, I saw the title of this thread, and I had to poke my head in to see if Old&New had the cojones to nominate the main Mormon temple there for demolition (not sure what it's actually called - the big pretty one that is always in city pics and the background at the Olympics). You know, to rid your fair city's skyline of the scourge that is religion.

[scottharding]

I'm not for tearing things down either, but I know this thread is hypothetical, and my nomination is easy: Tear down the goddamn Carl's Jr. that occupies a prime corner in downtown and make way for a new high-rise... Say maybe Goldman Sach's new headquarters.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by scottharding

I'm not for tearing things down either, but I know this thread is hypothetical, and my nomination is easy: Tear down the goddamn Carl's Jr. that occupies a prime corner in downtown and make way for a new high-rise... Say maybe Goldman Sach's new headquarters.

This is one where no one has to loose. Tear it down, build a high-rise, and then put a new city style Carl's jr in the base of the high rise

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Tear down the goddamn Carl's Jr. that occupies a prime corner in downtown and make way for a new high-rise...

Not even I can argue against this idea.

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Tear down the goddamn Carl's Jr. that occupies a prime corner in downtown and make way for a new high-rise...

This was the location of the proposed World Trade Center Utah.

[ajiuO]

How about the abandond fast food joint across from the galiven center? That should go.. It's not doing anything beside growing weeds.

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by scottharding

I'm not for tearing things down either, but I know this thread is hypothetical, and my nomination is easy: Tear down the goddamn Carl's Jr. that occupies a prime corner in downtown and make way for a new high-rise... Say maybe Goldman Sach's new headquarters.

Can't imagine what tourists think of our downtown when they see that forsaken Carl's Jr. I mean, really. It's as if someone playing SimCity 4 zoned for a strip of low-density commercial in the heart of high-density zoning. I'm surprised that something hasn't been done about that corner yet, to be honest. I wonder if anyone's talked to the mayor's office about this.

[Future Mayor]

From what I know, the city is very well aware that the south end of that block is very underutilized. However there isn't a whole lot the Mayors office can do. It's not as if the Mayor can just say ok, Carl's Jr we think that space is underutilized it's time for you to leave, and go ahead a build a skyscraper.

I'm sure the Mayor economic development team, and I would assume the governors team too, promotes that site to companies and developers as a prime location for a new tower. As was mentioned, that was the proposed site for the WTC Utah, and it very well still could be. I would be surprised if there isn't a tower there within the next 5-10 years. One issue with the site is having to work around or reconfigure the parking structure access to the Regent St Garage. And I won't accept answer like "Just tear that garage down" That is a huge garage and will most likely be the main garage for UPAC patrons, so a reconfiguring of the south access ramp or a creative use of the south end of the block. Plus I would rather have an above ground garage be in a mid block than on a major street. Regent St can thrive, even with the garage, afterall there is retail space on the street level and a lot of things can be done to cover the ugly on the garage.

[scottharding]

Yeah, that one would should go too for sure. It could help usher in the rebirth of Regent street. Those two lots (Carl's Jr. and that abandoned joint) are prime with their proximity to to Gallivan. I think that now that CCC is ready to open, that area is next. With the new theater building coming, the city would be wise to turn some attention to "the Regent St. Neighborhood." In my opinion, there's no other area downtown that is so ready and in need of a make-over.

[Future Mayor]

This was my vision for Regent St at point during Grad School. I actually proposed a Regent St Revival as my development finance project fall of my second year. The below image is taken from East 4th St in Cleveland and I had plans for a Bowling Alley, street furniture and an artistic treatment for the parking structure. Including housing in the Press Building and the Trib building, with a connection through the buildings to Regent and Main, (which already exists. Also included underground parking.



Obviously with the theater most of my plan would have to be changed, but with the right retail aspects on the back of house space this could easily be a possibility. Even with the parking structure remaining.

[bunt_q]

Hey that looks like a neat spot. What does it actually look like today?