CCRI officials have said the roof will add a "huge cost" to the project, which is now estimated at $1.5 billion. Dale Bills, spokesman for CCRI, declined to reveal the exact cost of the retractable roof or the estimated price tag for the entire project, saying the LDS Church and its affiliated organizations do not disclose financial information.

City Creek Center is a private venture of the LDS Church, meaning no taxpayer money is being used. Tithing dollars from LDS Church members also will not be used, officials have said. The project is being developed with funding from other real-estate projects of the LDS Church.

Other virtual tour highlights included a look at the new City Creek flowing throughout the project, showcasing waterfalls, fountains, ponds with live fish and an interactive fountain in which children can play.

The indoor portion of the project's spacious food court shown in the video featured a massive skylight and a glass wall that allows patrons to observe the project's largest waterfall.

"It will feel more like an elegant restaurant than a food court," said Ron Loch, vice president of design for project partner Taubman Co. "That's our goal."

An enclosed children's play area also is planned for a separate area of the food court. An outdoor area of the food court will seat roughly 120 people, Loch said.

City Creek Center will include about 675 residential units, 1.4 million square feet of office space, 850,000 square feet of retail space and about 5,000 underground parking stalls. It is scheduled to be completed in mid-2011.

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