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Skyline expanding: Work begins on a new high-rise for Salt Lake City
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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.
"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.
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
In actuallity, the LDS Church Office bldg is still the cities tallest.
to the roof of the COB it is 420' and then there is an antenna that extends it up to 436'
The Wells Fargo Center is 400' to the roof and 423' to the top of the antenna on top.
I have a flyer from when the Wells Fargo (then American Stores bldg) was completed stating it is only 400' to the roof.
The people of Salt Lake City should expect a product that does more than support the status quo. The perception that many people initially have of a city is its skyline and associated architecture. A cities skyline plays an integral part in defining the identity and character of a city.
Should Salt Lake City expect each building to be taller than the next when it is constructed? No. However, they should expect whatever is to be built to add architectural value to this beautiful city and further promote its beauty and character. This city deserves as much and should expect it. They shouldn�t be excited to merely get a new high rise.
As for the cheese to go with my whine, if expecting more than below-average to mediocrity is whining, bottoms up.
Although Utah's economy is roaring ahead right now, history says it is poised to tank--big time. This is probably one reason why serious developers focus on projects that are modest by most cities' standards.
I know many people see things differently, but I don't believe Utah's economy has the commercial diversity, depth, and influence to deserve a "world class" moniker. At least not yet. Although it is "hot" right now, history illustrates it is poised to crumble.
When the national economy is hot, Utah is super hot. However, when the national economy cools, Utah is freezing. This is a hallmark feature of a poorly diversified economy, just like it is of a poorly diversified investment portfolio. Utah's economy almost exclusively relies on tech, finance, and the mortgage/real estate industries (and MLMs, but they're not serious businesses). These industries are highly volatile and driven by speculation. They're bound to tank. They always do. I'm sure many people reading this will remember that just four years ago, Utah was leading the nation in bankrupties per capita, had one of the highest unemployment rates, and actually experienced a net decrease in population. When Utah's key industries go south--and they typically are the first to go in a downturn-- SLC will be lucky to sustain a level of employment to fill their already existing buildings. Not to rain on anyone's parade, but just the way I see it.
To be blunt, I don't think an economy that will be left will little more than noni juice and XanGo will be able to fill that 22-floor building.
I see that the whole point of the CCC is to revitalize the downtown. The CMSA (consolidated metropolitan statistical area i.e.Wasatch Front) is almost 2,300,000. That is the vast majority and the urbanized core lies in a 70 mile length and a maximum 10 or less to 15 miles in width. Basically the vast majority of Utah's population lies between 700 and 900 sq miles. Uh...there has to be a central core city and it is SLC. As it grows so goes the downtown.
I think people finally realized that there has to be an emphasis and from here on out that emphasis will be in the downtown. I think it is cool.
I live in a city (which apparently one other poster does) where in Manhattan and quickly moving to Jersey City, Brooklyn and Queens you see that the vast majority of the area is dominanted by every size and shape high rise that you would or could imagine. You have to realize that in the area of approximately 130 sq miles there are almost 10 million people and if you travel 40 miles in any direction it brings it to 21,000,000 CMSA. That is a lot of people in a small area. High rise construction and existance is a necessity.
I see a new and very tall highrise getting ready to go up in Nashville. Metro Nashville is smaller than SLC. The point is they are building it as a statement. What is the point?
In SLC to have a downtown of impact has to build up and not out to maintain a focus. It will come.
Granted, San Francisco and Los Angeles are taller, but the economies of these cities supports the additional building costs. These cities are in seismic zone 4, Salt Lake is in zone 3, and Denver is in Zone 1 (http://www.disastercenter.com/build/seismic.htm). Salt Lake will continue to expand outwards because its less expensive to build a 4 story building to code as opposed to a 25 story building.
It's about time they added another rinky dink tower to the pathetic, nonexistent skyline.
That said, why doesn't downtown Salt Lake build taller? How about a 50 story tower? That would be really nice.
I just got back from Paris, and even though there are some new office blocks, none of the new buildings are more than 20 stories high, most of the city is 5 to 8 stories, the buildings are for the most part stunning examples of the architecture of their time. The key is to create someplace where people can live, not show off. Continuing to mix residential with workspace and shops makes more sense than worrying about how tall is the tallest building. Any new building should complement the natural surroundings, not hide them.
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