The LDS Church soon will be seeking potential buyers for Richards Court, a 91-unit urban housing community being touted as the portal between Temple Square and the $1.5 billion City Creek Center development.

Prospective tenants who have informed developers of their interest in living in City Creek Center were contacted by e-mail this week about the first of the project's 700-plus residences becoming available.

Richards Court, located on South Temple midblock between West Temple and Main Street, will offer housing with views overlooking Temple Square when complete in the next 12 to 15 months, according to City Creek Living, a residential development arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Previously known as residential towers 6 and 7, Richards Court will consist of two 10-story buildings with ground-level retail, divided by a landscaped pedestrian walkway into City Creek Center's shopping and dining areas.

In addition, Richards Court tenants will have access to private and secluded outdoor spaces, according to the e-mail.

Housing in Richards Court will range from 921-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom units to top-level penthouses as large as 3,148 square feet, with three bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and a balcony.

Prices are not yet available, though developers have said planned housing at City Creek Center will be mostly upscale.

City Creek Living will contact prospective tenants in coming weeks to schedule an appointment with its sales center.

City Creek Center is a private development of the LDS Church, meaning no taxpayer money is being used. Tithing donations from church members also are not being used to fund the project, according to the developer. Instead, it's being financed through other church real-estate ventures.

City Creek Center is under construction in the three-block area bordered by West Temple, South Temple, 200 East and 100 South. It's estimated the development will draw about 10 million people to downtown Salt Lake City annually when it's complete in 2012.

To register information with City Creek Living or view floor plans for Richard Court, visit www.citycreekliving.com.

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com