Deseret News | Big renovation in works for old bank building

Reader comments
Big renovation in works for old bank building

Flori-Dumb | 6:53 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

This renovated building is expected to draw 10- to 14-million people to downtown SLC annually? Sounds great! But, wait, let's look at this. That's about a million people a month. That would be 200,000 to 250,000 people each week. I think this a tremendous overstatement. What was who drinking or smoking when this figure was calculated? Where are all these people coming from? SLC planners had better start building another airport, add some more fleets of cabs and buses to the existing transportation resources, etc., if this is a truly realistic figure and not just another fairy tale.

Nick | 8:35 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

RE Flori-DUMB:

No, the entire 20 acre project, City Creek Center, as a whole will draw that many visitors annually, not just this one building. That number doesn't mean indiviual people, it means visits, and no, not people from abroad. Get with the program.

To Flori-Dumb | 8:47 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Actually the article states that City Creek Center, the 3 block construction project, is expected to draw 10 - 14 million people, not the Deseret building. I don't think the numbers look exaggerated.

Comments continue below

Johny Fairplay | 8:53 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Thank you for preserving this building.

Germania | 9:02 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Cool. Let's hope The Church puts its Albert Speer-trained architects to work and re-clads the building in Little Cottonwood granite with Red Butte sandstone waterfalls at the entrances so it will look like every other building downtown.

Why? | 9:31 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I don't understand the city's love affair with this building. It is an eyesore and I don't understand the sentimentality attached to it. It is a bank building where business was conducted for years.

Will the people responsible for picketing and lobbying its preservation please step forward and tell me why.

Flori-Dumb | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Thanks, Friends, I am guilty of forgetting that little fact. Thank you for correcting me, and for doing it in a polite manner.

Would one of you please be so kind as to just delete my Dumb comment? (I'm new here, I don't know how to edit or delete yet.)

Hey, I admitted to being "Dumb"!

And we still don't know how to count votes here in Florida, either! :)

Ute ALUM | 10:53 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I am married to a member of the Eccles family and that building is really a wonderful and historic building and I am glad they are saving it. To "Why" -if you had been inside the building especially the executive offices on the second floor, the old bank lobby or when the Trust Dept had their offices there, it is really beautiful inside. Or use the marble staircase that was just back from the main door.
I use to laugh many times when the lights on the F & T of First would burn out and it would read IRS SECURITY. Perhaps the Mormons will change that to flashing "the church is true" or Jesus Saves"

SLC gal | 11:47 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

2 million of those expected visits are during general conf. times I'm sure. It feels like a million people are down there right after the sessions let out.

samhill | 12:17 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I too cannot understand the desire, despite all reasonable economic sense, to keep this building as part of the project and downtown.

It has no particularly note worthy architectural qualities. Its design severely restricts its use even as an efficient place for office space. At least in comparison to what could be put there it its place.

I wish common sense were more often valued rather than whatever kind of values were used to keep this building around.

Not a politician | 12:25 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Dear Why,
The city has nothing to do with this building being preserved. Basically, what Spencer Eccles wants, Spencer gets. Remember when he had Penrose Drive closed to thru traffic?

Re:Why? | 12:36 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Iï¿½m sorry but your opinion that this building is an ï¿½eyesoreï¿½ is off base. I suppose we are all entitled to our own opinions when it comes to aesthetics, but your comment does not speak well of you. If you need someone to explain it to you, that is probably hopeless.

SLC | 1:00 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

This building is not an eyesore. Its buildings like this that give the downtown character, and set them apart from the cookie cutter buildings in the suburbs. besides, how many buildings being built nowadays have the fancy facade and lavish interior like this beauty.

to Ute ALUM | 2:16 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Your comment at first very interesting and made me feel like they should save the building.

But your closing remarks about the mormons made you look like a fool. If you are part of the Eccles family they should be asshamed of you, I feel bad for them, after all they do to earn a dignifed name for them in this community and here you come along and tear it all down. What a looser, I would be embarassed if you were in my family.

Take your hate somewhere else, no one needs it here.

Sandra | 2:56 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I'm happy to see it still standing. I got my first job at First Security Bank, after graduating from high school, and being a newlywed. The purchasing department hired me, even though I hadn't typed since 9th grade and didn't know how to the dictation machine until my boss showed me. This was in December 1976. I have owned numerous businesses since and now do land acquisition and development. Thanks, Bob Olsen, for giving me a chance. Fond Memories in this bank building!

JM | 3:15 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

How can you say it's ugly? Oh wait, this is the land of cookie-cutter buildings. I'll admit it's not an architectural masterpiece- but it's UNIQUE compared to other buildings downtwon. It's built in a style that no one builds anymore, so once it's gone, its GONE. Why would anyone want to see this uniqe building torn down, and replaced with a bland, glass box?

In the shadows | 6:09 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

To the people who don't see the historic relevance and 'big city' character this building adds to Salt Lake - you must be blind.

Tearing this building down would be akin to demolishing the Boston Building or the old Hotel Utah.

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2 photos

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

The Deseret/First Security Bank building on the corner of 100 South and Main Street was once slated for demolition in the $1.5 billion City Creek Center project. It was built in 1919.

Gallery (2 photos)