A Campus to Bank On

Zions Bancorporation 400,000-SF Technology Center will be the hub of future activities for the company as it contributes to the ongoing development of a campus in Midvale.
By Taylor Larsen

“Remember the past with eyes to the future”


The simple slogan from Jennifer Smith, Executive VP and Chief Information Officer for Zions Bancorporation (Zions), was an inspiration for the interior phase of the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center. But those words and that sentiment are present in much more than the gorgeous interiors of Zions’ new building. As the project team began the massive undertaking, it would be hard to forget the past of the building site as team members worked together to create something with a steady eye to the future.


A Site to Behold


The 270-acre Sharon Steel Superfund site, where the Technology Center is located, is situated in the Jordan River Valley in Midvale. Milling and smelting conducted between 1906 and 1971 produced upwards of 10.5-million cubic yards of heavy metal tailings. The contamination was recognized in the 1980s and remediated in the late 1990s by installing a five-foot thick combined vegetated soil and geosynthetic cap over the site to prevent precipitation from leaching the site’s heavy metals into the Jordan River.


But there was also a future to consider and a better path to pursue.


With a development and master planning dream that had the potential to transform this site into the first phase of a sustainable community, that path has been realized. Integrating public transit and walkability to the Technology Center, utilizing a superfund site, and restoring nearby wildlife habitats would lay the groundwork. Creating an office space where people would feel welcome and connected would be the interior mission. 


Driving the entire project would be tricky. Spencer Allen, Sr. Project Manager for Layton Construction, explained it in the most straightforward way possible. 


“The [construction] priority was the schedule,” he said. Since the campus is a consolidation of satellite offices from across the U.S. into this one, “it was important for them to have substantial completion on the first of June so they could start bringing these people over.”


Every leading company needed to be on the same page. The response to that was a firm commitment—from owner Zions and developer Gardner Company, general contractors Layton Construction (interior) and Okland Construction (core and shell), and designers WRNS Studio (architect of record) and Method Studio (interior design). And that started well before the project broke ground.

Creating Foundation

The superfund status of the location made for an early challenge for the construction team. Like an onion, parfait, or even an ogre, this site had layers. Liners, clean fill, demarcation fabric, and more were present from the initial remediation efforts, but there were plenty of layers full of random debris from the site’s milling history, according to Eric Barton, Senior Project Manager for Okland Construction.

“Not knowing how much it is going to settle, not knowing what was in the soil—there was just no way to actually design the building to be supported by the existing soil,” said Barton. So engineers with BHB Structural designed a Torque Down Pile deep foundation system.

Barton explained it like a drill bit going through the soil. The hollow piles are installed by a combination of torque and downward force, while the custom fitting aids in both pile advancement and pile alignment throughout the installation.

BHB Structural’s Travis Brackus, Associate, said that the system allowed for a higher level of precision for pile location and plumbness versus a traditional driven-pile system. It even eliminated unwanted noise and vibrations associated with diesel hammers, too. According to Brackus, 380 Torque Down Piles support the 400,000-SF building.

Barton and Brackus both spoke of how the structural work created a crawl space under the building, which means the ground floor was a concrete and steel floor system much like the floors above.

Building Location

With the foundation set, architects led the next charge by designing a sustainable building that could anchor an overall campus. It would need longevity that would benefit the general public and the community of Midvale while providing beautiful office space where employees would want to be. WRNS’s design would emphasize the closeness of community through density and sustainability. According to Brian Shiles, Principal with San Francisco-based WRNS Studio, those emphases started with ownership.

“Zions was completely on board,” said Shiles of the concept to feature community sustainability on both the site and the building. “There was no resistance to this dialogue. [Zions] led it.”

The building itself is strategically positioned to be a better part of the community and emphasizes concepts not seen often in suburban areas. The Technology Campus is part of Midvale’s Jordan Bluffs master plan, which employs an urban design mentality centered on walkability and connection to the landscape, transit, and amenities.

Brain Millman, Principal with WRNS Studio, described the building massing as a major driver for the project. As a connector for the overall campus plan, he said the full building cantilevers out to the Jordan River, merging the density of the building with massing for viewers at every sight line. It provides an architectural connection to not just nature, but the community nearby as it serves as a focal point and draws people from the Jordan River Trail and the light rail station up the hill.

Exterior building choices included brick, glass, and zinc panels which combined with insulation to form a tight envelope. Barton reported that the zinc came from the Netherlands and is a 100-year material. He explained how the zinc panels are fastened to a z-channel that holds in place two inches of semi-ridged, high-density mineral wool insulation which covers the entire face of the building. A self-adhered air barrier on the exterior sheathing beneath the insulation and behind the brick portion provides additional envelope efficiency. All brick areas are capped with a precast concrete coping made to match the masonry.

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Masonry and glass are more common than the third material that made up the building façade: zinc. The gray zinc panels came from The Netherlands and provide a unique, long-lasting exterior to match a company with such a special and extensive legacy (photos by Endeavour Architectural Photography).

Progress Moves Vertical


A great site and solid planning concepts were a great start, but building up would be just as consequential to hold on to the initial vision behind the quote from Smith and create an interior that could match the intentionality of the core and shell and greater campus.


Several broad floors frame space, Shiles said, connect to the exterior garden, and support team building and collaborative work. A stock of smaller plates accommodates more focused work from employees and their respective teams. He spoke of how WRNS designed courtyards cut into the larger plate to provide employees with natural light, views, and access to nature. With private offices closer to the core of the building, majestic views are within the reach of every employee.


Layton’s Allen said it was a quick build considering the size of the building and the challenging construction environment. "It almost felt like miracles took place,” he said. Instead of two buildings that were in their first designs, the project team embraced one building with two massings—a six-story tower and a three-story massing—to lock in connectivity to the different offices from across the U.S. that would soon be sharing the same roof.


With both of the general contractors, the developer team, and other trade partners involved in another major project together just a few years ago, the project team re-combined seamlessly to create a great experience and a great building. 


“You're working together with another contractor, so you basically are joined at the hip,” said Allen. He said communication was on point as the two teams went about their separate scopes that came together to create a magnificent whole. “We met together weekly, if not more, with Okland.” Concerns, delays, and updates between the two contractors were readily shared. 


The contractor teams decided on a “flow” that would allow construction to progress on the northern, three-story portion of the building first then move south to another three-story portion of the building before moving east to the tower massing. As core and shell progress on each floor was completed and moved on to the next phase, tenant improvement began in its place. The breakup of the project over 12 phases of construction helped to keep quality control at the highest level. 


Allen credited the work done a few years ago, reemphasizing how greatness happens in unison. “Our success is together, our failure is together.”


That commitment to succeed together extended to everyone involved. Team members for interior designers Method Studio said the timing of this project meant that it was a 100% virtual design project. Kim Webb, Vice President and Project Architect of the Workplace Studio, spoke of the difficulties adjusting to the learning curve and not being able to inspect designs together in the same room.


With such a large contract and multiple major players in the scope, Webb explained how certain critical items were divided up between the interior and core and shell—made extra difficult without those consistent, in-person meetings to quickly remedy any potential issues. The wood trellis at the front desk that moves throughout the space and up the stairs was a critical mark and element needed for an inviting and awe-inspiring lobby befitting Zions.


But, with multiple contractors and subcontractors involved in this scope and materials coming from different parts of the country and a challenging construction schedule, the rift-cut white oak elements throughout the building would need to match at first go.


A Perfect Match


Match it did. Copious daylighting from extensive glazing provides additional warmth to the wood grain's natural touch. Millwork was one of many impressive features visible all over the office, one most apparent in the crown jewel: the “all-hands” space.


Allen described it as “the biggest selling point feature of the building.” One step in, and the praise is accurate. Wood grain throughout the two-story area, along with terrazzo flooring, giant windows looking out to the Jordan River and distant mountains, and an inviting feature stair make it into a flexible and beautiful space. Collapsable glass walls in nearby rooms combine with the impressive AV work done to provide training, announcements, lectures, and more to the hundreds who work in the building. 


Conference rooms just above the all-hands space give Zions some formal room to conduct business. Add to all of that the “Hub” and its full kitchen, cafeteria, and cafe back on ground level—all available for public use—and you have quite the setup. 


Interior design choices emphasize three pillars of balance for the company and its new tech building: strong foundation, innovation, and transparency. Masonry, wood, and metal showcase the owner’s strong Utah foundation. Screens, especially the wood grain “Z” pattern present in the all-hands space, are a nod to innovation. The glazing showcases the owner’s commitment to transparency.


The WRNS Studio team conducted a thorough analysis of façade performance and evaluated glazing and shading opportunities to build up a high degree of interior comfort. Triple paned windows perform incredibly in the winter and were installed on the east and north sides to deal with the cold, dark winters. The west and south façades, on the other hand, called for sun shades and solar protective devices that would still allow for the transparency wanted by the owner and create a well-lit comfortable space for employees and visitors.


Creating a Theme


Each of the six floor plates contains different colors, with branding that showcases the ripple effect of the company’s work funding historic projects and dreams across the West over the last century-plus. Jenn Celestino, Vice President and Project Designer with Method Studio, mentioned how the six stories have six corresponding floor names (Summit, Cirque, Mesa, Moraine, Caldera, and Playa) that give the interior a wayfinding element and an additional sense of place in the West.


She explained how two branding elements emphasize the connection between individual employees and the larger company. The ground floor timeline wall shows the history of Zions and how there are still plenty of stories to tell. Another ground floor piece, entitled “Foundations of our Future” highlights employees with individualized plaques that recognize the many who have helped Zions gain and maintain its premier status in Utah and beyond. 


Webb demonstrated during a tour how the building functions as a gallery of sorts for three local artists that Zions commissioned. Pieces from Jann Haworth, Brian Kershisnik, and Matt Monsoon all hang throughout the space, emphasizing different themes like the West, community, and diversity. Kershisnik’s “Work of Many” hangs prominently in the ground floor lobby, honoring this consolidation of resources that has combined to create this invigorating space.


Other specific branding elements include layers of silhouette profile graphics, all from the organization’s employees, that showcase the volume of people the company has influenced. Those same colors that represent the different floors are present here too, with a rainbow spectrum to reinforce the diversity that creates the strength of an organization. 


The creation of that type of space—a diverse, inclusive space where people would come to and enjoy—is something that Method Studio’s Marbe Agee, Principal of the Workplace Studio, felt like the project team knocked out of the park. “The feedback we received from Zions Bancorporation was that remote people wanted to be in this office.”


Good Stewardship


Through construction recycling and the use of recycled and recyclable materials, contractors and designers followed through on the owner’s commitments toward sustainability, recycling well over a combined 80% or more of cardboard, plastic, wood, and trash. Celestino spoke of how the terrazzo flooring and countertops on the various levels of the building all include recycled glass. 


Agee spoke about how this commitment to recycling included choosing recycled and recyclable carpets and Forest Stewardship Council-certified woods. Exterior brick was sourced locally from Interstate Brick for yet another sustainability win.


As a leading lender of renewable energy companies, Zions established aspirational sustainability goals tied to reducing carbon, improving air quality, and resiliency, according to the WRNS Studio team. The Technology Center is all-electric, targeting LEED Platinum with its goals—a high bar as the inaugural project of the overall Jordan Bluffs campus. Ongoing ecological reclamation efforts will support habitat restoration and the larger regional waterway while healing the site’s industrial past.


Regarding energy conservation and sustainability, the building utilizes over 2,000 photovoltaics to help offset 75% of the energy use for the building. Two light wells and terraces on the second floor provide another connective spot with nature while filling in more interior spaces with daylight.


And most importantly, at least to Agee, was how Zions, as a local member of the community, committed to strongly moving forward with this project amid so much insecurity.


“They put their money where their mouth was,” she said. “And not just the architecture and design communities, but the construction, trades, and craftsman that make these projects possible.” 


The building has built upon not only the site’s historic past but also the history of one of the premier Utah-based companies in Zions Bancorporation. But as it remembered the past, it is still looking forward. In a business world struggling to recruit and retain employees, superb construction and high design allowed a strong community ally to look ahead and achieve a top-class technology center where employees want to be.


Zions Bancorporation Tech Campus


Project Team

Owner: Zions Bancorporation

Developer: Gardner Company


Design Team

Architect: Method Studio, Inc. / WRNS Studio

Electrical Engineer: Spectrum Engineers 

Mechanical Engineer: PVE 

Structural Engineer: BHB Structural


Construction Team

General Contractor: Layton/ICS (T.I.), Okland Construction (Core & Shell):

Plumbing: Reliable Plumbing

Concrete (Core & Shell): Okland Constrcution (Structural Concrete, building conctrete, site walls), Gene Peterson (sidewalks, curb & Gutter)

HVAC: Altas Sheet Metal

Electrical: Rydalch Electric

Drywall/Acoustics:  K & L Drywall & Acoustics, CSI (Core & Shell):

Painting: Professional Painting, Grow Painting (Core & Shell):

Tile/Stone: Dowland Tile, Metro Tile (Core & Shell)

Masonry: Troy Hales Masonry (building), AK Masonry (Parking Structure)

Carpentry: Diversified Flooring, Contempo Cabinet & Mill (Core & Shell)

Flooring: Stewart Specialties (Sealed and Polished Concrete)

Glass/Curtain Wall:  Bountiful Glass (Interior Glass), Sykview Glass (Core & Shell)

Roofing: Utah Tile & Roofing (Core & Shell)

Waterproofing: Water Proofing West

Steel Fabrication & Erection: SME Steel Contractors

Excavation: Siri Contracting

Landscaping: Intermountain Plantings

Deer Valley Expansion

By Taylor Larsen • February 25, 2026
Start spreadin’ the news I’m leavin’ today I want to be a part of it… I can hear everyone singing the final line: Deer Valley Resooooooooort Fine. Frank Sinatra may not have had après ski on the mind in “New York, New York”, but if the famous singer were alive today, I bet he would want to be a part of Deer Valley’s East Village—even with no relation to the New York City neighborhood—and the transformational development ongoing across Mayflower Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. East Village—Deer Valley Style “Deer Valley East Village is a long-anticipated project that will serve as the heart of the expanded terrain at Deer Valley Resort,” said Gary Barnett, Founder and Chair of Extell Development Company (Extell), in a press release. “With careful planning, we’ve curated a village that will redefine luxury and offer unparalleled amenities for our guests.” The ability to curate such luxury came from 10 years of collecting. Since 2015, Extell has purchased over 20 land parcels, assembling well over 5,000 acres for development. Extell partnered with the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and Reef Capital Partners (Reef) to create a highly capable development team. These efforts set the stage for the 2023 agreement between the developer and Alterra Mountain Group (Alterra), Deer Valley’s parent company, to fold Extell’s East Village property into its existing resort operations—what Deer Valley President and COO Todd Bennett called, “Your new Deer Valley.” Barnett, speaking of what’s to come with this partnership and the billions of dollars of work set to go in on the mountain, said, “Extell and Deer Valley collaborated to craft a village and ski experience where luxury, adventure, and experience come together effortlessly.” Thus began the monumental transformation of Mayflower Mountain. Big Name Arrivals Two projects helped get the party started in the East Village. The Residences at Pioche Village delivered four buildings comprising 400-plus condominiums built by New Star General Contractors in December 2023. Although the project is outside the epicenter of ongoing development, it is becoming increasingly important to the area, as MIDA recently purchased one of the buildings to set aside 42 units of workforce housing. The first finished project within the epicenter was the award-winning Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, designed by OZ Architecture and built by Jacobsen Construction, completed in 2024. Extell partnered with MIDA to develop the hotel on military land, offering 100 rooms at a discounted rate for service members. The opulent hotel and condo property introduced a total of over 380 guest rooms, 40 suites, 55 private residences, and nearly 40,000 SF of conference space. And it’s just the beginning. On a recent tour of the East Village, Michael Woisin, Extell’s Sr. VP of Construction in Utah, detailed the immense manpower required to bring the vision to life. The six tower cranes currently operating there, along with a handful of other cranes, combine with dozens of concrete trucks heading up and down the mountain to support around 1,000 construction workers on site, driving projects of all sizes. Reef is developing multiple residential properties in the coming years. On the single-family side, Marcella at Deer Valley has already sold out the 143 homesites in the future private community, which is currently under construction. Marcella Landing will deliver a gated community of 50 ski-in/ski-out luxury townhomes designed by Olson Kundig. Cormont will deliver five residential condo towers and a vibrant central plaza, with construction completed in 2027 and 2028, and local architectural experience provided by FFKR Architects. The big brands are coming, too. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Deer Valley, designed by ODA Architecture and built by Jacobsen Construction, will deliver 134 guest rooms and suites, as well as 123 for-sale residences, with completion in 2028. Canopy by Hilton will open a 180-key hotel near Pioche Village. The property will feature architecture by The Richardson Design Partnership and interior design by DLR/Brayton Hughes and will open its doors in summer 2026. Waldorf Astoria Deer Valley Resort and Residences was announced in late January, with plans to bring 132 guest suites and 105 for-sale residences near Deer Valley’s Green Monster, the resort’s 4.85-mile ski run—Utah’s longest. With architectural design from KPF and interiors by AvroKO, the project will open its doors in 2028. Beyond the ski-in/ski-out access at many of the above properties, the East Village will also feature a skier services building and an extensive, tiered pedestrian plaza designed by ODA for year-round enjoyment when completed. The building will serve as the heart of the ski village, surrounded by the “ski beach” at the base of the mountain—with a future holiday market, a snow maze, and The Ribbon’s state-of-the-art ice- skating circuit planned for winter months. In summer, the area will be activated by a music festival, farmer’s market, outdoor movie screenings, and other events.

AGC of Utah Installs Gary Ellis as 2026 Chair at Annual Convention

By Bradley Fullmer • February 25, 2026
If the turnout for the 104th Annual Convention for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Utah is any indication of the current state of the construction industry in the Beehive State, 2026 will indeed be a robust year. The popular industry convention—held January 29-30 at Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake—continues to draw room-busting crowds at its events. The AGC's 2026 Awards Breakfast kicked off the convention on January 29, with the Utah chapter handing out nearly 50 awards for innovative projects and dedicated people. The second day—an all-day event—included entertaining keynote speakers at breakfast and lunch, along with informative breakout sessions in between. The convention was capped by an always-entertaining Installation Banquet, where Gary Ellis, President/CEO of Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction, was installed as 2026 AGC of Utah Chairman of the Board. Brett Nielsen, President of Brigham City-based Whitaker Construction and 2025 AGC of Utah Chairman, thanked AGC's staff of 13 for their efforts to elevate the association, and highlighted the work of the Construction Learning Committee (CLC), which aims to cultivate the next generation of construction industry leaders. "Earlier today, I made a comment that the generation that's coming into our industry today is about 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future," said Nielsen. "We owe it to them to make sure we're providing the same tools, the guidance, the leadership that we received as we were coming up in the industry." Ellis followed with an initial plug for Nielsen, who is in line to serve as the AGC of America's 2030 President—a first for the Utah chapter. "We're excited to share Brett and his wisdom and terrific leadership to the entire country with regard to our industry—he'll do a great job and carry Utah in his heart," said Ellis. Ellis said he never imagined working in the construction industry, thinking he'd rather be a river running guide or physical therapist. Ultimately, he pursued accounting, earning a Master of Accounting from Provo-based Brigham Young University in 1995 and spending the first five years of his career as a Senior Auditor for KPMG in Salt Lake. He was hired in December 2000 at Jacobsen Construction as a Financial Controller, later ascending to his present title of President/CEO in January 2021. "The amount of construction experience I had before I landed at Jacobsen Construction was two weeks sweeping floors at a residential construction site," said Ellis. "I never imagined I would be part of the construction industry, but it's been life-changing for me. Our theme for the convention this year is Building What Matters—I wanted to do something that mattered [...] I wanted to be part of growing something, something I could put my arms around and say, 'wow, look what we just did together'. That's really what my motivation was when I found the construction industry." During the first five years of his career at a large corporate firm, Ellis said the gig lacked fulfillment. Joining Jacobsen opened his eyes to a new world, one he quickly gained a true passion for. "My kids are sick and tired of me pointing out every [Jacobsen] building as we go up and down I-15, I-80—I know, I'm preaching in the choir. There are incredible things that we do at Jacobsen; quite often, we talk about the 'wow factor'. That is what we have in this group. It is the wow factor, being able to [bask] in the pride we feel." Ellis also thanked his team at Jacobsen for believing in the AGC's mission and recognizing the importance of giving back to the industry. "I'm indebted to Ted [Jacobsen] and his family for what they've created at Jacobsen. The day I was asked [...] to take over as President, my very first phone call was to Ted Jacobsen [...] to let him know that I commit to making sure his family name is known in good standing in this marketplace."

Tick Tock from the Water Clock

By Taylor Larsen • February 25, 2026
Time is running out. Not for Utah water. Not yet. But it is for negotiations on the Colorado River. Recently, Utah and six other states, Mexico, and Native American Tribes missed another deadline to revise the current Colorado River Compact. Like family members negotiating a handwritten will, their agreement, or lack thereof, will determine who gets what from the Colorado River in 2026 and beyond. The compact has dictated water rights for the Upper Basin states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, and the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada since it was signed in 1922. The agreement, a result of phenomenal collaboration and compromise, has worked out as well as something written 100 years ago could. But the compact is starting to look it’s age. As the desert sun is unkind to the skin, the prolonged megadrought of the American Southwest has been unkind to the Colorado River. Overallocation of the river, droughts, drastic population growth, and a lack of consideration for all of the water-drawing entities mean compromises are on the horizon to ensure that each party at the table can provide Colorado River water to the estimated 40 million people who rely on it. The seven states and the federal government have tried previous facelifts with federal guidelines and plans to draw less water, but blemishes remain. Native tribes are still awaiting corrective surgery to remove the scars of historical injustice, especially after the Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the federal government was not required to take steps to ensure the tribes’ water rights. While Colorado River negotiations reach the end, four of Utah’s biggest water conservancy districts are pushing past existential drought to create solutions with their water users and industry partners to ensure taps flow for generations to come.

Rural Roots

By Taylor Larsen • February 25, 2026
Little did the team at KMA Architects know how much a proposal for one high school would change their fortunes forever. Duchesne School District released its RFP for a new Altamont High School in 2011. Wes Christensen, then Project Architect, felt like it was a winnable project. After all, KMA Architects had built a stellar reputation designing schools throughout Utah since the firm opened in 1996. There was just one problem with this RFP: KMA didn’t design new high schools. While the firm focused primarily on elementary and junior high schools, Christensen and others on the KMA team were confident in their design proposal and threw their hat in the ring to win the job. “I was certain our competition was going to present a two-story high school,” said Christensen, recalling the various brainstorming sessions that hinged on how to best present their design for a durable and economical one-story school with easily accessible mechanical mezzanines over the corridors. The district's response had the KMA team ecstatic: “We love it.” Winning the Altamont High job with a one-story design is one of many examples of KMA’s emphasis on listening first, a legacy established long before the firm relocated its headquarters in 2020, and long before the team sat for this interview, overlooking Spanish Fork Main Street from their stylish second-story conference room. Sometimes two stories are best, and KMA’s history is among them. Starting Shop in Provo It starts with Kevin Madsen initially pursuing engineering at the University of Utah, graduating in 1972, but with a passion for the entire industry. He earned his contractor license in 1974, but he made his mark in design. “I was good at drawing and drafting,” Madsen, now retired, said from the comfort of the drafting table of his Palmyra home. Madsen even taught drafting and CAD at the former Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) from 1990-1993, saying, “That’s when I realized I wanted to run an architectural firm.” After Nebo and Sevier school districts personally requested Madsen’s services, he founded Kevin Madsen & Associates Architects in January 1996, bringing Christensen and others to work on the firm’s many projects. One of which began when Madsen bought a historic Victorian home at 195 East and 100 North in Provo and turned it into the KMA office in 1998. “It was a work in progress all the way,” laughed Madsen over the phone. That contractor license came in handy; Madsen salvaged high-quality carpet scraps from schools and brought them back to the office. Christensen, now KMA’s Owner and Principal, remembered sanding beams, tearing out old carpet, and stapling in the new flooring in its place—he’s got the scars to prove it. Other famous memories the entire senior KMA team recalled involved creating original blueprints with ammonia and venturing up I-15 to the old Service Blue print shop in Salt Lake to print off dozens of client copies. “We called it a ‘Printing Event’,” Christensen said, recalling the various times that the team would yo-yo between Provo and Salt Lake to drop off their specifications and drawings, often at midnight or later, before returning the next morning to fill an entire truck bed with boxes of freshly printed copies.

Seasoned to Perfection in Providence

By Taylor Larsen • February 25, 2026
The new Weber Blackstone headquarters project involved significant civil work in dewatering and wetland preservation so close to Big Ballard Springs and Blacksmith Fork River. Once completed, the finished build’s Prodema wood paneling exterior gives the building take-off. (all photos courtesy R&O Construction except where indicated)

New Trajectory for New Star

By Taylor Larsen • February 25, 2026
Midlife crisis? Try mid-life calm for New Star General Contractors as the Salt Lake-based construction firm celebrates 40 years of building great projects. As President Jeff Pettit sits in the firm’s conference room on the second story of the New Star office (self-performed in 1996), he reminisces on his 37 years there, as well as plenty of lore established when the firm emerged. In 1986, carpenters Dave Love and Steve Williams were building a home for their boss’s lawyer in Salt Lake City’s Federal Heights. Their boss, Ranch Kimball, was the owner of Cannon Construction, and announced he would be closing shop later that year. Love and Williams vowed to continue the good work, but under a new venture—New Star General Contractors. Based in Bountiful, New Star performed any small project or remodel they could, even venturing east to remodel an Episcopal church in Vernal. The two owners ran New Star from a “carpenter’s perspective”, Pettit said with a smile, “A good, honest trade.” As employees gained a deep understanding of fieldwork and constructability, New Star self-performed much of the concrete, framing, and interior and exterior finishes, buoyed by a large pool of high-level union carpenters from Utah Carpenters Union Local #184, ready to build. Pettit came aboard New Star in 1989, joining his father and uncle at the firm, two journeymen union carpenters, while he apprenticed as the company grew. Early Years; Midlife Struggles Pettit praised the foundation established by Williams and Love in New Star’s first decade, recalling how both owners worked as estimators and project managers as they sought to win work, while Treasa Love and Patti Williams, Love and Williams’ respective wives, ran accounting, billing, and payroll. The firm was at the cusp of taking off when Williams passed in 1997, but Love and the few dozen members of the New Star team pressed on, working for Deer Valley’s former parent company, Royal Street, on projects like Royal Plaza and Goldener Hirsch Phase 1. “Those projects helped put New Star on the map,” Pettit said. Another foundational project was Peace House, a four-bedroom domestic violence shelter for women and children built in 1995. “It was Dave’s way of giving back to the community,” said Pettit of the relationship between New Star and Peace House that has burned brightly ever since. Love joined the organization’s board of directors, and New Star built Peace House’s 40,000-SF expansion over 20 years later—a massive upgrade that delivered eight units of emergency shelter and 12 units of transitional housing for mothers and children. The project, a monumental community victory, eventually earned UC+D’s “Publisher’s Pick” award in 2019. Company culture in those early years benefitted from the “New Star Band”, a six-member ensemble of New Star employees. Love, his office wall lined with a notable guitar collection, led the charge. “Dave was a great musician and a great guitarist,” said Pettit of the culture- and relationship-building efforts of the New Star Band. “Anyone who knew New Star knew of the band.” But it wasn’t all roses, as New Star’s union roots counted for little as the firm and many other general contractors battled trade unions in the early 2000s. Pettit recalled the picket lines that formed around their Salt Lake City office and their job sites. As the Great Recession hit in 2007 and dragged on into the next decade, Pettit grimaced at how New Star laid off many employees as he, Love, and the remaining executives took massive pay cuts, following through on Love’s advice: “Keep money in the company, because there will be lean times.”

Sky High-End Club

By B. H. Wright • February 25, 2026
When it comes to classy sophistication, the sparkling new Delta Sky Club—Concourse B at Salt Lake City International Airport sets an incredibly high bar in both form and function. The opulent 34,000-SF club—Delta's second at The New SLC—offers members myriad ways to relax and decompress from the rigors of travel, highlighted by the truly unique Digital Immersion Room. Salt Lake-based HOK worked with Zenapptic of Novato, Calif., on the impressive display, which was designed with neuroinclusive principles in mind. The innovative space surrounds guests with seven expansive screens featuring aerial views of Utah’s iconic landscapes, including the state’s five national parks and cityscapes of downtown Salt Lake architecture. Synchronized natural soundscapes enhance the visuals, creating a calming, immersive, and four-dimensional experience. Velvet drapery, darker tones, and curved acoustic baffles further support the sensory environment. As the only club in Delta’s network to offer this experience, Salt Lake City sets a new benchmark for innovation and traveler comfort. "We wanted it to feel like a cocoon, a space you can get away from the hustle and bustle, even from what's going on within the club," said Sarah Oppenhuizen, Director of Interiors at HOK. The seven screens are tied into the speaker system, "so you're hearing birds chirping, or a plane flying by, or a storm rolling in. Zenapptic did a fabulous job of taking these scenes, images taken all across Utah, and splitting them into layers [...] that can move in a way that makes it feel like you are actually viewing that scene." The material palette and lighting selections also reflect and amplify Utah’s natural beauty. From warm tones to reflective surfaces, every detail connects travelers to the spirit of the state. The club itself is a diverse wonder of breathtaking spaces created from a highly curated and layered material palette. Each space was meticulously crafted into "neighborhoods" appealing to myriad client tastes and preferences. There are eight specific ceiling systems, eight custom terrazzo blends, a dozen tile products, and dynamic specialty lighting—creating a refined ambience inspired by Utah’s diverse landscapes while maintaining the elevated experience synonymous with Delta's iconic brand. The distinct neighborhoods highlight the club's supreme functionality supporting a robust 600-seat capacity—it's Delta's second-largest club after La Guardia in New York City—while maintaining comfort, intuitive circulation, and a soothing acoustical environment. Larger-scale stone flooring with red accents evokes a natural hiking path while providing durability and ease of movement for guests with rolling luggage. Sound-absorbing properties are integrated into ceilings and select walls throughout the space to maintain a serene guest experience. “Creating distinct neighborhoods gave us the flexibility to increase seating capacity without sacrificing comfort,” said Mishael Thompson, Design Lead at Delta Air Lines. “Guests can easily find a space that fits how they want to travel—whether that’s social, private, or somewhere in between.” “The goal was to bring a true sense of place into the space without overwhelming the guest,” added Oppenhuizen. “By layering materials, color, and technology, we were able to reference Utah’s landscape in a subtle way while maintaining the timeless, hospitality-driven feel of a Delta Sky Club.” Design elements on Level 2, which serves as the entry experience, incorporate cooler whites and blues inspired by a Park City winter, while Level 3 transitions to warmer reds and bronze tones that reference Utah’s caves and caverns. A signature seating area at the top of the escalators—featuring layered blue furnishings and a rippled metal ceiling—draws inspiration from the Great Salt Lake. An expansive, curving bar is an eye-catcher—a unique reflective ceiling above with twinkling lights is a highlight that recalls the state’s copper mines. Blue-veined marble countertops in the space reflect crystal-like light fixtures reminiscent of stalactites, adding a sense of natural wonder. Emphasis on High-Quality Finishes, Resort-like Feel Maintaining the Delta brand is always a top priority for designers, and while explicitly branded elements in Delta Sky Clubs are minimal—primarily limited to the check-in area and select touchpoints—the broader brand strategy centers on elevating the airport experience through high-quality design, materials, and comfort. Branding is subtly expressed through a hospitality-driven environment that conveys both luxury and durability. “We want all our guests to feel like they’ve just stepped into a high-end hotel lobby—not an airport,” said Thompson. “That sense of arrival, comfort, and quiet luxury is fundamental to how we think about the Delta Sky Club experience, and this project truly delivers on that vision.” While program standards remain consistent across all Delta Sky Clubs to ensure familiarity, hub locations such as Salt Lake City provide opportunities to further elevate the experience through regionally inspired materials and design cues. This balance of consistency and localization reinforces Delta’s brand promise while allowing each club to feel distinctive and connected to its location. The new club is larger than its sister Delta Sky Club in Concourse A—that one checks in at 29,000 SF. The expanded footprint provided opportunities to further elevate the experience through additional amenities, greater spatial variety, and a stronger emphasis on regional design elements while still maintaining consistency with Delta’s established Sky Club standards. Attention to detail is a Delta hallmark, added Thompson, with high-quality finishes essential to the project's overall aesthetic. Achieving this level of quality required extensive coordination, including detailed submittal reviews to ensure each material and design element met Delta’s performance and durability standards. Attention to craftsmanship played a critical role in delivering a club that aligns with Delta’s elevated brand experience. “Our guests notice the details,” Thompson emphasized. “From the durability of finishes to how materials feel and perform over time, quality was non-negotiable on this project.”

2026 Economic Outlook

By Bradley Fullmer • February 25, 2026
Dejan Eskic was blunt in his assessment of Utah's 2026 economic outlook during a January 13 presentation to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), Intermountain Chapter, remarking in his opening statement, "I feel like we're living in a season of the [television] show '24', where every episode, you're holding your breath." Eskic, Sr. Research Fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, was talking about geopolitics, specifically referencing the economic impact of the Trump Administration’s global tariffs after a year, and how economic outlooks are not so easy to predict when dealing with the potential impact of national and international factors. "Part of talking about economics, it can get political," he continued. "I try not to be political about it, but it's hard to unravel the two, right? Whatever [information] President Trump releaes on whatever media platform has influence on the market. Tariffs really brought a lot of uncertainty and made the market very skittish." Eskic said tariffs are his "least favorite subject, because we haven't had to talk about it for 100 years, and all of a sudden it's gone haywire—there's a lot of uncertainty with tariffs." He added that the Gardner Policy Institute will release a white paper detailing tariff impacts later this year. Interest Rate Cuts Not Anticipated in 2026 The Fed did not cut interest rates at its first meeting of the year on January 28, and Chair Jerome Powell believes keeping the current rate of 3.5% to 3.75% is prudent, with stabilizing unemployment and inflation rates signaling a steady economic year. "Employment rates have stabilized to the point where they're not forecasting a rate cut. I think they're anticipating steady rates between 3.5% and 3.75%," said Ryan Starks, Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. "Just having that predictability is the most important thing." Home mortgage rates took a sharp dip in January, Eskic reported, from 6.8% to 6%, which is something "you pay attention to" considering it happened in just a few days. Steady rates mean developers know exactly what to expect and can determine whether or not to pull the plug on projects that have been paused while more favorable rates are seen. Utah Expected to Have Moderate Economic Growth Eskic cited the Gardner Institute's 2026 Economic Report to the Governor when announcing a slew of favorable projected stats that underscore moderate 1.5% economic growth, including: • Steady job growth of 1.5%, including a robust 3.2% construction job growth (143,000 jobs); • Rising average wages of 3%-4%, with some construction trades expected to eclipse 5% wage growth; • Continued population growth, albeit at a slower 1.3% clip overall; Utah County led the way with 2.1% growth; • Low state unemployment rate of 3.3% in 2025, significantly better than the national average of 4.4%. While these numbers are down from peak totals within the past decade, they still portend a growing economy, with construction playing a vital role in the state's overall economic health. AGC Optimistic for Another Solid Year The Associated General Contractors of Utah (AGC of Utah) remains a steady voice for construction in the Beehive State, and its members "are cautiously optimistic about 2026, with the strongest confidence in infrastructure, power, and data-driven projects," said Joey Gilbert, AGC of Utah President/CEO, citing his association's record-level 700+ members statewide as an indicator of the health of the industry. “Utah's biggest structural advantage is that it's still a growth state with strong population gains and job growth creation with durable demand for housing, commercial space, and public infrastructure," added Robert Spendlove, Chief Economist for Zions Bank. "We also benefit from a relatively healthy labor market and strong household fundamentals. Utah's unemployment rate (hovering around 3%) remains lower than the national average (4.4%), and wage growth has been running above the U.S." That's not to say everything is peaches and cream, as job growth "has cooled compared to the post-pandemic surge," said Ken Simonson, AGC of America Chief Economist. "Contractors are still dealing with labor pressures, wages are expected to keep rising 4%-5%, and policy actions affecting labor availability could make staffing harder in 2026. At the same time, the national data show job openings have fallen, which is consistent with a market that's still tight in key trades, but less overheated than a year or two ago." Gilbert agreed that construction labor in Utah has steadied a bit, saying "the labor market is still tight but stabilizing, with steady wage growth and increased focus on workforce development and retention." There are other tailwinds in Utah's favor as 2026 begins. Spendlove said, "Utah's underlying economic fundamentals remain strong: population growth (about 1.5%) and employment growth (north of 2.0%) are still outpacing the U.S., which supports a steady pipeline of construction demand. “ Simonsen agreed that Utah remains a hot business market—yet again—to have another solid year. “Utah remains resilient. The opportunity set in 2026 looks best where demand is most durable—data centers, power, and infrastructure. Utah is well-positioned to compete [nationally] in those areas. Even with uncertainty, contractors are planning, not freezing. The main watchouts are financing conditions and cost volatility, but there's still meaningful work in the queue.” Gilbert added, ”Utah's construction industry is well-positioned in 2026 due to strong economic fundamentals and sustained demand in key sectors.” Demand Brisk for Data Centers, Infrastructure, Energy, Other Markets Contractors and designers recognize the rapidly rising demand for data centers, and therefore, the energy to drive power-thirsty—not to mention water-thirsty—projects, and are positioning themselves accordingly. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has "Operation Gigawatt" rolling, a 10-year initiative started in 2024 to develop new energy production across multiple power sources. "It's absolutely essential that we get in front of energy," said Starks. "We're seeing that from a population growth standpoint, but also from a commercial growth standpoint. With more development taking place, somebody's got to take the lead, and we feel like Utah is well-positioned to be that leader. The Governor wants to double energy production as part of the 'Operation Gigawatt' initiative. Our approach to energy is an 'all-of-the-above' approach—natural gas, solar, nuclear, geothermal." Gilbert said Utah's legislative leaders are keen to see Governor Cox's energy ideas come to fruition. "Their priorities are energy production and reliability," said Gilbert. "Senator [Stuart] Adams believes the state that controls AI will control the world. AI demands power and a lot of it. [State legislators are] dedicated to making sure Utah has infrastructure and power resources. We're looking at energy resources, from nuclear to solar and everything in between."

Like a Phoenix Rising

By Bradley Fullmer • November 15, 2025
Residents have access to a wealth of modern, high-class amenities: Check out this open-air rooftop patio with tasteful lighting, pool, and spacious hot tub—it’s party time! (all photos courtesy Kier Construction)

Mission In Progress

By LADD MARSHALL • November 15, 2025
Steve Green is out in McCornick, Utah. Where is that? And what’s near McCornick? “Nothing,” joked Green, the Sr. Vice President for Wheeler Machinery Co. While he may be far from even the smallest of small towns, with Holden and its 492 residents 13 miles away, he’s close to the site of a major development in data center technology. Isolated on the western edge of the Sevier Desert, the Joule Data Center will also be isolated from the grid—by design. Operation Gigawatt Rolls On Green is one of many energy and power professionals hoping to double Utah’s power generation capacity by 2034 as a part of Operation Gigawatt, an initiative launched by Utah Governor Spencer Cox in October 2024. Utah has long been an economic growth leader; Operation Gigawatt aims to make Utah a power player in energy development by increasing transmission capacity, increasing energy production, strengthening policy, and investing in energy innovation. While Governor Cox’s Operation Gigawatt moves forward statewide, out in McCornick, Green said, “We’re doing operation gigawatt and a half off grid.” The Joule Data Center project team will deliver “In-situ power generation”—power not connected to any electrical distribution or transmission system. It starts with Caterpillar G3520K reciprocating generator sets that produce 1.5 gigawatts of electricity. Waste heat and exhaust from the generators then move through an absorption chiller system as part of the overall systems combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) solution, providing much of the water required to cool the data center servers. Beyond the electric power to be generated for the Joule project, there will be 1.5 gigawatts of thermal energy and 1.1 gigawatts of available battery storage to meet the data center's peak electricity needs. Added Green, “And we’re not taxing the local utility grid.” Isolated or Community Power? The massive power capabilities delivered there are impressive, but they reveal a troubling trend in how Utah will double its power generation capabilities. Will it be from well-funded companies looking to power data centers and AI technology separate from the grid? Or will Utah fulfill the mission of Operation Gigawatt by creating power solutions accessible to all? According to Troy Thompson, Chief Operations Officer for Big-D Companies, power generation is about more than supplying data centers. “In my mind, how do we build a billion-dollar hospital downtown that needs ten megawatts of power?” he said, referencing Intermountain Health’s future downtown Salt Lake campus, “let alone the data centers, and manufacturers who we are hoping that will come here?” Ten megawatts of power may pale in comparison to what data centers require, but it is one of many projects seeking regulatory approval to move forward. The Utah Inland Port Authority, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and others continue to drive projects and jobs into Utah—data centers, too. But Thompson said he has heard from many potential clients who are hesitant to bring their energy-intensive projects to the state without firm guarantees of available power. Operation Gigawatt and state leaders have embraced an "all of the above" approach to energy sources, extending the design lifespans of coal plants, embracing new technologies and power sources, and developing new power-generating capabilities. While the industry is willing, the operating environment needs rewiring to meet state goals. Changing for 21st Century Needs “With as hot as the Utah market is,” began Eric Haslem, “there are too many obstacles for us to overcome.” The market may be ready to ramp up production, said Haslem, Chief Operating Officer for Vernal-based utility and heavy civil contractors BHI, “But the current system can’t handle it. We have this massive web of transmission and distribution infrastructure that was not designed or built for the power demands of the 21st century.” “In 1970, they didn’t know what a smartphone was,” Haslem said, “let alone AI.” Transmission projects have been developed. Rocky Mountain Power/PacifiCorp’s Energy Gateway South transmission line—a 416-mile, high-voltage 500-kilovolt transmission line that runs from Mona to Medicine Bow, Wyoming—certainly helped when it went live in 2024. Still, it's just one project amidst a plethora of needs. Haslem stated that Utah's growth over the last 10 years meant a large majority of the transmission line's capacity was accounted for when it went live. .