Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

CITY CREEK RESERVE, INC.
City Creek Reserve, Inc. (CCRI), a real estate arm of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the master
developer of City Creek, an urban redevelopment in
downtown Salt Lake City that is one of the largest mixeduse
projects in the country. A sustainably
designed, walkable community of residences,
offices, and world-class shopping, City Creek’s
twenty-three acres span three blocks in the
heart of Salt Lake’s central business district.
Shortly after successfully hosting the 2002
Winter Olympic Games, leaders in Salt Lake
City recognized the need to reinvigorate
the city’s core. They were concerned about
slowing sales and store closures on and near
Main Street, a part of Utah’s capital city that
had always played a vital role in commerce
and culture. Working with other downtown
stakeholders, President Gordon B. Hinckley,
leader of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints,
initiated plans to revitalize the
three blocks immediately
south of Temple Square and
Church headquarters.
After four years of study and
design, plans for City Creek
were announced in October
2006 and construction began.
At the peak of activity, more
than 1,700 workers were on the
job site. More than 300 architects,
engineers, consultants
and suppliers were involved in
the project during five-and-ahalf
years of construction.
As old buildings were deconstructed, including two
enclosed shopping malls, a comprehensive sustainability
program reduced waste. More than seventy percent of the
debris from demolition was recycled. Steel from an imploded
office tower was made into rebar for use in parking garages
and foundations of residential and retail buildings.
Sustainability in design, construction and operations resulted
in the U.S. Green Building Council approving six Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications
at City Creek.
Most of City Creek’s 1.7 million square feet of office space
was already occupied when work on the project began.
Renewing retail and adding residential properties were
project priorities, but so was keeping City Creeks’ population
of 5,000 office workers productive and well accommodated.
Prior to project construction, the Zions Bank Building
was completely reskinned. The 50 South Main tower was
imploded to make way for redevelopment, the World Trade
Center lobby was remodeled, Temple View Center received a
major interior upgrade and was renamed the Deseret Book
Building, the base of the KeyBank Tower was substantially
reconfigured, and the First Security Building was seismically
upgraded and totally renovated. The Kirton McConkie
Building, a new office structure on South Temple, brought
the number of commercial properties to a total of eight.
Today, City Creek office workers enjoy all the conveniences
of a live-work-shop downtown community.
Bringing 24/7 residents back to the heart of the city was a
primary objective for project planners. 536 new residences
were constructed in condominium communities at 99 West,
Richards Court and The Regent and in City Creek Landing
Apartments. While City Creek’s ample underground garages
can accommodate 5,000 cars for shoppers, office workers
and homeowners, most residents are driving less and living
more. A new generation of urban pioneers is enjoying a
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