Big renovation in works for old bank building
Deseret/First Security touted as key part of LDS project
By Jared Page , Deseret News, August 15, 2008
The Deseret/First Security Bank building, once slated for demolition, now is being touted as an essential office structure in the LDS Church's $1.5 billion City Creek Center project.
A "major renovation" is planned for the historic building on the corner of Main and 100 South that will allow it to be utilized as office space in the downtown development, said Mark Gibbons, president of City Creek Reserve Inc., a development arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The building will receive seismic upgrading and be an important part of our office space downtown," Gibbons said Thursday during a presentation to the Downtown Merchants Association on the progress and future plans for the 20-acre residential, retail and office development.
Plans for City Creek Center, unveiled in October 2006, initially called for the Deseret/First Security Bank building to be demolished. At the time, developers said the building couldn't be saved because its old design made it too difficult - and too costly - to modernize.
Pleas for preservation from the Utah Heritage Foundation, the Eccles Foundation and members of the public persuaded church leaders to abandon those plans after just two months.
After evaluating possible reuses for the historic building, CCRI officials recently determined it would remain an office structure, Gibbons said. The building houses the First Security branch of Wells Fargo Bank and the Eccles Foundation offices.
Kirk Huffaker, executive director of the Utah Heritage Foundation, said reusing the building for office space is
consistent with its historic use.
"By choosing it as an office building, there's a great chance to preserve its historic character, certainly on the exterior, and some of the really interesting features on the interior," Huffaker said.
Built in 1919, the building was originally home to the Deseret National Bank, which early church President Brigham Young opened on the same corner in 1871. It later became the headquarters of the Eccles family's First Security Bank, which merged with Wells Fargo in 2000.
City Creek Center is a private development project of the LDS Church. The project is under construction in the three-block area bordered by West Temple, South Temple, 200 East and 100 South.
Taubman Centers Inc., CCRI's retail partner, estimates that City Creek Center will draw between 10 million and 14 million people to downtown Salt Lake City annually when it's complete in 2012.
Portions of the project - including parking structures on all three blocks, a Harmons grocery store and a new food court - are expected to be complete next year.
Parking for shopping at City Creek Center will be free "for at least an hour," Gibbons said.
"That will benefit not only our retail space but all retailers in the downtown area," he said.
ALSO IN THIS EDITION:
Salt Lake City theater-site talks are under way - by Jared Page, Deseret News, August 15, 2008
Homes sweet homes - by Susan Whitney, Deseret News, August 13, 2008
Beauty lurks under layers of paint - by Lynn Arave, Deseret News, August 20, 2008
Ancient pit house found near Kanab - The Associated Press, Daily Herald, August 22, 2008
Sorensen Home shows off its Victorian secrets - by Jennifer W. Sanchez, The Salt Lake Tribune, August 24, 2008
Facelift ahead for Provo's Pioneer Village - by Joe Pyrah, Daily Herald, August 17, 2008
HISTORIC BUILDINGS FOR SALE OR LEASE
ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
FORT DOUGLAS MILITARY HISTORY SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR PAPERS
"The Art of Architecture "
Join us on Thursday, August 28th for a Brown Bag at Noon in the Zephyr Room,
Rio Grande Depot - Peter Goss and Kirk Huffaker will speak about the exhibit.
August 18 through September 19
Rio Grande Gallery
300 S. Rio Grande Street
Salt Lake City, UT
The Rephotography of George Edward Anderson's Environmental Portraits - By Peter L. Goss
John Sugden: Mid-Century Modern Man and his Architecture - By Kirk Huffaker.
This month, two exhibits at the Rio Gallery opens doors to historic buildings through the photographic lenses thatdocumented Utah's diverse architecture. The Art of Architecture demonstrates the unique artistry and design talent of Utah's architects, builders, and craftsmen. Through the exhibits, the work of a prolific photographer and
modernist architect, give us a small slice of the amazing breadth of built environment that we continue to have the pleasure to experience in Utah.
Click here for more information about the exhibit.
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION
Salt Lake City theater-site talks are under way - by Jared Page, Deseret News, August 15, 2008
Homes sweet homes - by Susan Whitney, Deseret News, August 13, 2008
University of Utah architecture students provide houses for Navajos through design/build projects.
Beauty lurks under layers of paint - by Lynn Arave, Deseret News, August 20, 2008
Victorian glory restored to safe found in Capitol.
Ancient pit house found near Kanab - The Associated Press, Daily Herald, August 22, 2008
Sorensen Home shows off its Victorian secrets - by Jennifer W. Sanchez, The Salt Lake Tribune, August 24, 2008
The Draper museum is a hands-on experience for kids and adults alike.
Facelift ahead for Provo's Pioneer Village - by Joe Pyrah, Daily Herald, August 17, 2008
HISTORIC BUILDINGS FOR SALE OR LEASE
(For more information about listing in this section, inquire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
ARCHITECTURE AND PRESERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE
Hello, Columbus - A building that can't break free of its predecessor - Paul Goldberger, The New Yorker, August 25, 2008
On Second Thought - Architecture critic finds no regrets - by Christopher Hawthorne, Los Angeles Times, August 22, 2008
Butterfly Fracture - by Pilar Vildas, The New York Times Magazine, August 15, 2008
This must be the smallest building that Frank Gehry has designed in decades.
A Call to Preserve Admirals' Row at the Navy Yard's Edge - by Sewell Chan, The New York Times, August 20, 2008
Work in progress: Sagrada Familia - guardian.co.uk
One of the world's most famous unfinished masterpieces, and critics are increasingly concerned that the completed version of Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Familia will bear little resemblance to his original plan. Catch up on the history of Barcelona's architectural wonder
SAVE THESE DATES FOR UHF EVENTS
September 13, 2008
Capitol Discovery Day
Utah State Capitol Building
Children's Activities and Tours
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
September 26, 2008
Barn Party at the Depot
6:30-10:00 p.m.
Union Pacific Station at the Gateway, in Salt Lake City
Utah Heritage Foundation is pulling into Salt Lake City's Union Pacific Depot to celebrate historic preservation throughout the state and raise funds to keep our programs "on track" for the coming year. We're moving to a new historic location for this year's party but keeping that laid-back spirit for which our annual fundraiser has become known, so put on your cowboy hat and western boots and come on down to the depot!
We are now accepting table sponsorships for Barn Party at the Depot.
For more information or to reserve your table, contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
at 533-0858 ext.102.
See you at our evening of fundraising and "fun-raising" on September 26!
Syndicate tickets to win a party at Memorial House are on sale NOW! Call 533-0858.
October 21-25, 2008
National Preservation Conference
Tulsa, OK
The National Preservation Conference is the premier preservation
conference in the United States for professionals in preservation
and allied fields, dedicated volunteers, and serious supporters.
April 30 - May 2
Utah Preservation Conference
Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City
University of Utah
College of Architecture + Planning
Fall 2008 Lecture Series
All lectures take place at 5:30pm in AAC 127.
September 22
"...ction - form follows fun"
By Mark Muckenheim, Principal, Urban Environments
October 6
Charles and Ray Eames: "Serious Fun"
By Robert Cox, Herman Miller, Inc.
November 17
Christof Janzten, Principal, Behnisch Architects.
December 8
By Peter Katz, Virginia Tech
Traditional Building Skills Institute Workshops - Ephraim, UT
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Story of the week - Endless Summers; Some Camps Have Been Around for Generations - by Arin Greenwood, Online Only, Aug. 15, 2008
Teardown Tools on the Web - An Online Guide for Planners, Homeowners, and Advocates.
Highlights approximately 30 tools that are being used by communities around the country in response to teardowns with direct web links to more than 300 examples in 32 states. Teardown Tools on the Web is part of the Teardowns Initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and intended as an easy-to-share, user-friendly, one-stop-shop for people looking for tools to better manage teardowns.
Subscribe to National Trust newsletters.
Seeking funds for planning your preservation project or to hire a consultant to get that project off the ground? Apply for a grant from the Utah Preservation Initiatives Fund (UPIF) by contacting Amy Cole at the National Trust for Historic Preservation at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (303) 623-1504. Grants are available in three rounds per year - February 1, June 1 and October 1 - and awarded on a competitive basis!
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Fort Douglas Military History Symposium
25 October 2008
Call for Papers
The Fort Douglas Military Museum invites proposals for papers to be presented at the Annual Fort Douglas Military History Symposium. The theme this year is "Early Utah Military History, 1840-1890."
Written proposals will be accepted from individuals or panels and should be submitted no later than 15 September. Please send proposals to:
Fort Douglas Military Museum, 32 Potter St, Ft Douglas UT 84113
Proposals should include the title, a brief summary of the subject and a brief resume of the presenter. Please include name, address, telephone number and/or email with your entry. Visuals, graphics and handouts are encouraged. Power point, 35mm slides and overhead transparencies can be supported.
Questions may be directed to Su Richards at 801.581.1251 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
