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Skyline expanding: Work begins on a new high-rise for Salt Lake City

22-story "skyscraper" - how about a 22-story building. Please don't call it a skyscraper when it's not.

... that they're compensating for something?

An architectural statement? What's the statement? "Keeping downtown bland and sterile." "A building only a leaseholder could love." "Monolithism works."

Tim's comment brings up a question: In his opinion, what is a skyscraper and are there any skyscrapers in Salt Lake?

Wow, sounds like exciting developments on the horizon for SLC. With Wholefoods and Urban Outfitters on the way, I may just be able to move back.

It's all relative to where you are. Don't forward this article to friends in Dubai, Shanghai, NYC, Hong Kong, or Chicago claiming that you've "arrived," or they'll just dismiss you as silly, sheltered,and naive. In Chicago alone, they're currently constructing a 150-floor residential tower and a couple more 90+ floor towers, and nobody there seems to be batting an eye. Dubai has something like 15 or 16 megatowers of 1,000 feet or higher going up simultaneously. Now that is newsworthy. Although every building 20 floors or taller is technically a skyscraper, I lean a bit more towards Tim's assessment.

On another note, it is "Brinks," not "Binks."

For SLC, this is great. The CCC has already released renderings for two 20-30 story towers with more to follow. Good things for SLC skyline. Yes, it will never be NYC, Chicago or Dubai, but I'll take it. We need a new tallest though.

When the term skyscraper first came into use, it was used to describe buildings that were only about 10 stories tall.
It's unfortunate that this bldg is so incredibly ugly. I guess they figured something had to replace that ugly Key Bank bldg that was just demolished.

We need slender, architecturally interesting buildings that compliment our beautiful mountain-ringed valley, certainly not more squat, monolithic squared-off boxes. C'mon, we are well on our way to becoming a world-class city, let our architecture reflect that.

It seems like they have a hard time being original in design. Look at all the new office buildings going up around the valley. 90% of them have the round atrium area and two wings extending out. It would nice if they would break out and be original in a design.

I don't live in Utah so maybe someone can answer my question...why doesn't SLC grow their skyline? 22 stories is NOT a skyscraper. It seems that the Utah economy is doing great, which means more businesses are growing and going to Utah. Wouldn't it make sense to build a "skyscraper" tall enough to entice people/companies to the downtown area? Please help me understand.

Because Salt Lake is a 2nd tier city and always will be.

My understanding is that the new residential tower planned for the corner where Inn at Temple Square was will become the new tallest.

The design, vision and scope of this project/building is truly underwhelming and uninspiring. When this building was being approved, I remember Nancy Saxton (City Council member) stating,

"If you had to describe this building to someone and you didn't have the address, how would you describe it?" she asked at a recent City Council meeting. "What's going to stand out? I would just hope that this would be a real anchor for downtown and it doesn't feel like that."
Bruce Bingham was quick to correct her. "Compared to what?" the Hamilton partner asked, somewhat snidely. New York? Chicago? San Francisco? This is Salt Lake City, Bingham said. The tower - the "most striking building" in town - is plenty good enough for this architectural wasteland, he seemed to say.

Yeeeeah. That's the problem with this project and the architect. They seem to think that Salt Lake City should be happy with whatever they throw out there. Instead of adding to the skyline architecturally, making it more visually distinct and raising the bar in regards to future expectations, they have lowered it with their arrogance and lack of creativity.

It's amazing that SLC's two tallest buildings are 422ft and 420ft. one or two buildings in the 500-550 range would be nice. At a time when there isn't a lot of class A office space available, it seems like a perfect time for a tower or two in this range.

Outsider: SLC is NOT NYC, Chicago, LA or even Denver. 22 story tower is good for SLC. There will be 2-3 towers with the City Creek Center project that should be 30 stories + and also there is plans for a WTC in SLC that could be a new tallest. Downtown SLC is what it is and it's not bad for a city/metro of it's size.

Salt Lake is once again becoming a beautiful city. Don't knock the efforts of the planners. 22 stories is high enough for me. New York can have it's mega-high sky-scrapers. There will always be negative comments about the efforts of some who try to do good.

I live in NYC and do business in SLC, so I am well aware that SLC is not nor ever will be a NYC, LA, Chicago, etc...However, if SLC wants to grow and become a bigger more productive economy, I would say that attitude needs to change??? Just my opinion. Salt Lake is a very intriguing place so I think it would be a huge benefit to the city and Utah's economy to try and grow a little bigger.
I also think this new project in SLC is great, but the downtown area is lacking in various areas. Examples are architecture (except for your temple/temple square...it is very beautiful) and activity...not much going on down there. I truly hope this project "revitalizes" your beautiful city. Kind of crazy that I am even commenting or even care and I don't live there...guess I must like SLC??? - Outsider

A 22 story building is plenty tall. We don't live in NYC, or Chicago, thank goodness! We'll call it what we want...so there!

THE HIGHER THE BUILDING....THE BIGGER THE TARGET