Quarter Time

The completion of Phase I of The West Quarter opens an exciting new chapter in downtown Salt Lake's hospitality, entertainment, and lifestyle markets.
By Brad Fullmer

After a lengthy process spanning seven-plus years, Phase I of The West Quarter project is in the books, offering scintillating new options for downtown Salt Lake patrons in the heart of the City's west side entertainment district and transforming the 6.5-acre Block 67 parcel—kitty corner southeast to the iconic Delta Center (welcome back)—into a world-class, mixed-use development.

"It sets the tone for what's to come," said Ryan Ritchie, Owner of Salt Lake-based The Ritchie Group (TRG), developer and co-owner of West Quarter along with Layton-based Garn Development. “We've had a vision for seven years—other than City Creek [Center], I think this is the most ambitious [mixed-use] project ever taken on in Salt Lake."

Indeed, The West Quarter is envisioned as a revolutionary, game-changing mixed-use project that will rival similar developments around NBA arenas in other metropolitan cities, like L.A. Live, the premier sports and entertainment district surrounding Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Pearl District in Portland, and the Deer District in Milwaukee, a 30-acre neighborhood around Fiserv Forum flush with up-scale businesses, bars and restaurants. 

"The Ritchie Group always envisioned this project as being similar to L.A. Live or the [Deer District]," said Emir Tursic, Principal for Salt Lake-based HKS, design architect on the dual-branded hotel portion of the project. "This used to be the warehouse district, and we tried to acknowledge that in our design. That's why we have large, oversized windows, the use of brick, but we also inserted a curtain wall in the west corner, which symbolizes the transformation of this area [...] to more of a lifestyle and entertainment district. The idea is to create a district that will provide amenities to support the Delta Center and [300+ annual] events, not just Jazz games."  

Phase I of The West Quarter includes a pair of dynamic, 11-story high-rise buildings situated around a spacious mid-block plaza and the east-to-west Quarter Row walkway, which will gradually come to life over Phases II and III over the next five-plus years, depending on market conditions. 

The first building houses the first-ever Le Meridien for Marriott in Utah (and 26th in 23 U.S. cities)—a swanky, upscale hotel with inspiring interior finishes, functionality, and charm, along with the hotel magnate's 100th Element Hotel, which caters to extended-stay clients and offers its own unique style and decor. 
Building two is The Charles, a luxury residential tower with 240 units, offering sleek, high-end amenities—highlighted by a rooftop pool, hot tub and clubhouse, expansive workout room with an exterior component, game room areas, gourmet kitchen and more.

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An innovative, multi-material curtain wall system—highlighted with copious amounts of glass—makes a bold statement in the dual-branded hotel Le Meredien and Element, a welcome addition to the Salt Lake hospitality market. Hotel spaces are modern and sleek, with optimum functionality. 

Owner's Patience Rewarded

The Ritchie Group is a second-generation developer based in Salt Lake City, founded as Ritchie Enterprises in 1973 by James Ritchie and rebranded in 2005 by his sons Paul and Ryan. TRG's primary focus is on multi-family, self-storage, industrial, and hospitality development projects. With a development queue of $2 billion-plus, including 3,500+ MF units, 400+ keys of hospitality, and 4.4M SF of industrial warehouse at various stages of design and development.


Ryan Ritchie said the firm pivoted post-recession to multi-family development and other "income asset" properties, with a focus on offering higher-end, resort-style amenities on its projects. About a decade ago, Ritchie said the firm "was looking for a downtown site for a mixed-use project and stumbled into Block 67", a 6.5-acre parcel that housed Royal Wood Plaza and a U.S. Post Office for years, along with being part of Salt Lake's storied Japantown, an area that lost much of history and allure with the construction of the Salt Palace Convention Center in the mid-to-late 60s. 


A primary goal of West Quarter was to create a project that played off the Delta Center, with a mid-block road and walkway. "Our blocks are so huge, they aren't intimate," said Ritchie. "Other than Regent Street, maybe Pierpont (Ave.), very few streets break the block up. We wanted to break the block down in scalable chunks and make it walkable and connected," referencing Portland's Pearl District. "We want to make the connection to downtown [Central Business District] with the West [CBD] and be this key connecting block. You have to activate it; it has to be the ultimate live/work/play destination." 


The relationship between the developers and Salt Lake City and its government officials was a real boon to the project over the course of its entirety, with Salt Lake City Corp. contributing money towards the cost of the two-level underground parking structure.


"It's a very unique project and speaks to why we've required some help from the public side," said Ritchie. "Projects like this can't come to life on its own. It was critical for the City to buy off and be a partner. I'm really happy with the first two projects, but I look at this as a steppingstone to where we want to end up." 

Ritchie also talked about the timing of Phase I coming to the downtown market and coinciding with a slew of high-quality, sexy high-rise projects—including 95 State at City Creek, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Astra Tower, Liberty Sky and others—each contributing immeasurably to boosting Salt Lake City's profile as a true world-class metropolitan destination. 


"I know it's cliche, but a rising tide lifts all boats," he said. "I'm excited to get to a point where we see more like-minded projects."


Twice as Nice

While the dual-branded hotel is unique to the Utah/Salt Lake market, Tursic said "they are very common in other markets; HKS has designed many of them with several different brands across the nation. They are becoming increasingly popular because of their programmatic efficiencies that share the back of house, and in some cases amenity areas, while providing a variety of guestroom offerings."


Architecturally, the hotel is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional warehouse architectural style reflecting the history of the Gateway district and its vernacular architecture.  Brick references the district’s warehouse history, and metal panel references industrial uses. The building massing is articulated with two-story punched openings divided by muntins that capture the essence of the warehouse typology. Areas of natural wood are employed to bring warmth to the more human-scaled spaces, all while balancing the demands of well-established international hotel brands.


While HKS was responsible for the exterior architectural design and general building planning, HBA Studio of Los Angeles focused on the interior design of all guestroom and hotel public areas. HKS and HBA Studio worked collaboratively to plan those spaces. 


In addition, Beecher Walker Architects (BWA) of Salt Lake served as Architect of Record and was present at all design meetings to serve as a secondary set of eyes to HKS, while handling contract documents. 


"As with all projects of this size there were some late nights, but we had a great team and were able to come together," said Owen Blake, Project Manager for BWA. "You have to put differences aside to create something this magnificent." 


"If there was ever a quadrant that needed strength, it was the southeast corner of the Delta Center complex," added Lyle Beecher, Principal-in-Charge for BWA. "This project is a great addition to the area in so many ways." 


One design challenge was creating a lifestyle hotel with a high level of street and pedestrian engagement that in addition to attracting travelers, will become an extension of the sports district and the entertainment hub. 


Along with its residential counterpart, The Charles, the hotel has created a vibrant entrance into the new development by engaging its context through deliberate planning of active uses and contextual architectural design. Hotel lobbies line both street frontages, connecting at a corner restaurant with outdoor seating. On level two, the large pre-function area engages the street, and the 10-story curtain wall façade symbolizes the latest transformation of the Gateway District. Street and corner engagement continue vertically and terminate at the rooftop terrace with a long cantilever that activates the City skyline. 


Moving on Up 

Designed by Salt Lake-based Architectural Nexus, The Charles is every bit the equal to the hotels with its lavish style and amenities, and slots nicely into the downtown, high-end residential apartment market, designed with a head-turning exterior curtain wall system with varying window sizes in a playful pattern with masonry, steel, and glass working in harmony. 


The building offers a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and 11 penthouse units, along with plenty of fun public spaces with modern, highly functional amenities highlighted by the dazzling rooftop pool terrace and lounge area and state-of-the art, 2,600 SF indoor/outdoor fitness center with yoga studio, a social club, clubhouse/lounge, outdoor grilling stations and even a poker lounge, Aces & Vinyls. STK Steakhouse signed a lease in May and will occupy 8,500 SF of interior space and 2,000 SF of patio space on the ground floor end cap of The Charles. 


"When you can expose concrete you get a marriage of refinement and rawness and you see that in the interior, you get that feel of modern and new," said David Abraham, Sr. Principal with Nexus. "It offers a bit of nostalgia and what it means to live a downtown lifestyle."


Even minute items stand out for their fine detail, added Charles Bagley, an Associate at Nexus, such as "details in elevator buttons, ivory and circular elements, other whimsical elements throughout the entire project [...] creates a unique identity." 


Interior design elements are lively and fun, with modern, decorative furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass offering exquisite downtown views.

Lisman Studio of Salt Lake, led by Principal Belle Kurudzija, provided interior design on The Charles, including space planning for all amenity areas and hallways, and art and lighting procurement—"the wall sconce feature is my favorite in the lobby," said Kurudzija. 


"I wanted to create a bespoke space that was authentic and new to the city," she added. "A space that has balance of comfort and familiarity to out-of-state tenants, and a space that melodiously incorporates the rhythmic liveliness, improvisational nature, and soulful mood of Jazz."


Construction Techniques, Innovations Key to Success

Tony Castillo, Sr. Project Manager for Jacobsen, had his hands full dealing with three different architecture firms, representatives from both hotels, and numerous other stakeholders, on top of everything brought to the industry by Covid and supply chain challenges. That said, this project is a landmark and one that was ultimately successful due to a total buy-in from all contractors on the project. 


"We definitely had our share of challenges, but we're proud of the effort of all team members," said Castillo. "The two buildings mirrored each other. This is a marquee project for us."


Jacobsen's estimators were able to keep costs down and manage a tight schedule including the challenge of a hotel branding change, which necessitated different items, FF&E, etc. 



Another boon to the schedule was the use of Structionsite, sophisticated jobsite imaging technology used to identify exact locations of key components of the building, including post-tensioning cables, rough-ins, electrical and mechanical systems and more, to reduce re-work or constructability conflicts.

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The Charles is designed for the upper-class residential market, with a head-turning exterior and luxurious, topshelf amenities across the board, including a playful rooftop pool/lounge area and inviting common spaces. 

Much More to Come; Interest Rates Pausing Phase II

Future additions to The West Quarter will focus on activating the mid-block space, with new retail and dining areas creating Quarter Row via a curbless, pedestrian-friendly design.


Ritchie said Phase II (Block C) will include another upscale 321-unit residential tower and 24,000 SF of retail space—with dramatic 20-24 ft. ceilings, offering true mezzanine level retail opportunities. The project is ready to break ground, but interest rates at 7%+ will push the official start to mid-2024. 


Phase III (Block D) will be highlighted with two towers up to 375 ft., including another 200-key hotel and 130 condominiums in the same tower, plus a swanky, Class A office building, which Ritchie admits is a very ambitious plan given a cooling office market due to uncertainty over flex/remote demands of today's workforce. 


"No one wants to build [office], no one wants to finance it, but we believe," he said. "95 State filled up because of location and amenities. My belief is when there is another [office] building built in Salt Lake City, it will be ours. The office is important because it allows parking on weekends—that really activates the center. We want to leave a legacy we can be proud of."


Tursic, who is also Principal-in-Charge for HKS on the 450-ft. Astra Tower high-rise luxury tower, said it's rewarding to be involved in transformative urban Salt Lake projects that "are changing our skyline and enriching our downtown experience. The most satisfying part for me, however, is seeing how these projects are used and enjoyed by their end-users, people for whom we ultimately design. Projects like The West Quarter demonstrate that good design is good business that benefits the development, our communities and the City as a whole."

The West Quarter (Phase 1)

Location: Salt Lake City 

Delivery Method: CM/GC

Square Footage: 737,000

Stories/Levels: 11 Stories (+2 underground parking levels)


Project Team

Owner: The Ritchie Group; Garn Development

Owner’s Rep: Ryan Ritchie

Developer: The Ritchie Group


Design Team

Design Architect: HKS (Ph. I Hotel) 

Architect of Record: Beecher Walker Architects

Design Architect: Architectural Nexus (Ph. 1 Residential)

Civil: Twin Peaks Engineering & Land Surveying

Electrical: Hunt Electric Inc.

Mechanical: CCI Mechanical

Structural: SE-Solutions, Inc.

Interior Design: HBA Studio 

Landscape Design: MGB+A 


Construction Team

General Contractor: Jacobsen Construction Company

Concrete: Suntec

Plumbing: CCI Mechanical

HVAC: CCI Mechanical

Electrical: Hunt Electric

Masonry: IMS Masonry

Drywall: Wallboard Specialties 

Acoustics: Golder Acoustics, HD Acoustics LLC

Painting: Grow Painting Inc., Pete King Commercial 

Tile/Stone: Global Stone and Tile LLC, Metro Tile Associates, Millcreek Tile & Stone LLC, 

Curtain Wall/Glazing: B&D Glass, LCG Facades 

Flooring: Spectra Contract Flooring 

Roofing: Utah Tile and Roofing 

Waterproofing: Waterproofing West, Guaranteed Waterproofing & Construction

Steel: Glassey Steel Works, Sanpete Steel

Excavation: Reynolds Excavation 

Vertical Shoring: Keller North America Inc.

Q&A with Nathan Goodrich

By UC&D • August 1, 2025
Nathan Goodrich

100 Years & Five Generations

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Paul founded Paulsen Construction in 1925 after immigrating from Norway 16 years prior. Sprague Library in Sugar House was originally built by Paul, and then restored nearly 100 years later, led by current President John Paulsen.

State of Industry; State of Progress

By Utah C&D • August 1, 2025
West Valley City Veteran’s Memorial Expansion Owner: West Valley City Architect: EDA Architects GC: Okland Construction Estimated Completion Date: September 2025

Showroom Showstopper

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Commercial office is not dead. The market is alive and well, according to the design pros at HB Workplaces team. Their new office and showroom in Draper, and what it has done for employees and clients, is a case in point. All it took was a change in scenery. Transitioning from the B'Nai Israel Temple, built in 1890, to a new space was a welcome change for the team. "I just remember working between 2015 and 2020, and it was just," Keilian Meyer trailed off as he described the former office, a historic religious building converted into an office and showroom in 1987. Minimal natural lighting, rooms and layouts misaligned for team needs—their space wasn't bringing out anyone's best work. Meyer, Marketing Director for HB Workplaces, said going to work didn't engender a sense of engagement. "It was kind of punch in and punch out." But everything coalesced with their move. "The timing aligned perfectly," Meyer said of the June 2024 move and their rebrand from the year before from Henriksen/Butler to HB Workplaces. Dual Purposes Come to Life It aligned with every real estate broker's favorite word: location. Planting the HB Workplaces flag in the award-winning Baltic Pointe made perfect sense, especially with its epicenter locale between the booming economies of Salt Lake and Utah counties. HB Workplaces CEO Dave Colling summed it all up succinctly: "Our new headquarters is not just another building; it's a statement of our appreciation and stewardship of design, built upon decades-long heritage of our own, along with MillerKnoll, underscoring our commitment to excellence." The mass timber ceilings in HB Workplaces' first-floor office in Baltic Pointe—the first of their kind for a commercial building in Utah—are part of that commitment. Everything seems warmer, healthier, and better under the all-lumber ceiling. "We've always been drawn to inspiring architecture, and the natural warmth and intentionality of this structure made it a natural fit," said Meyer. HB Workplaces sought to make their mass timber home a showpiece for the beautiful and wide-ranging possibilities of today's commercial interiors, serving as an office for the HB Workplaces team and a showroom for interior designers and architects looking to envision their next project. That dual nature comes through perfectly across the space, with the showroom piece especially highlighted in the "Living Room" and its 382 SF of mid-century modern glory. The unforgettable Eames Lounge chair catches the eye, but closer inspection reveals some nods to the B'Nai Israel Temple's stained glass windows and other homages to the deep histories of the Herman Miller and Knoll brands. The room's mid-century-style lounge chairs, couches, ottomans, and side tables—all MillerKnoll line, of course—combine with gentle lighting to create the perfect spot for hosting. Brit Badger, HB Workplaces' VP of Client Development, explained how the Living Room is ideal for getting to know their design partners and clients, especially for a first meeting. "It's not all the same seating everywhere, like it would be at a conference room," she explained of how the varied seating choices—the Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is often first dibs—help to create a relaxed and comfortable environment. "It's cool to see who chooses what. It's a fun way to start."

ASCE 2025 Report Card For Utah

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Bragging about a “C+” might seem gauche, but Utah is one of only four states to earn that high a grade, according to the May 28 release by the Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of the 2025 Report Card for Utah’s Infrastructure. The cumulative “C+” for the Beehive State is the highest mark ever given by ASCE to any individual state—the report card itself spans 12 categories of infrastructure and is virtually unchanged from 2020 (ASCE issues report cards every four years). Utah's grade is also one step higher than the national infrastructure average grade of “C” in the ASCE 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which dropped in March. Roads (B+) and Bridges (B) remain the stars of the class, as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) continues to receive consistent state funding in furthering its aggressive program of building new projects to meet ongoing demand, while diligently maintaining existing infrastructure. “Our transit and transportation are doing fabulous," said Anna Lisonbee, President of ASCE Utah and an Engineer-in-Training at South Jordan-based Hansen, Allen & Luce. “UDOT and UTA are lauded as some of the most efficient [organizations] nationwide, so we’re doing very well in that category.” Aviation infrastructure was the only category to see a grade increase—somewhat predictable given the sheer amount of capital investment made over the past decade at Salt Lake International Airport, Provo Airport, and other regional airports statewide. Three categories—bridges, s tormwater, and transit—saw grade decreases. The remaining eight categories held steady from 2020. "Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and state leaders have taken steps to ensure the reliability of infrastructure systems as more people move here to enjoy Utah's thriving communities, amazing outdoors, and high quality of life," said Craig Friant, Utah Civil Practice Lead for South Jordan-based Wilson & Company and Chair of the 2025 Report Card for Utah's Infrastructure. Utah grades per category: Roads: B+ Bridges: B Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Transit: B- Aviation, Dams, Hazardous Waste: C+ Stormwater, Wastewater: C Canals: D+ Levees: D-

Toward The Promised Land

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
"What gets you out of Egypt doesn't take you to the promised land." The quote, as I first heard it, came from Ron Dunn, Founder of Salt Lake structural engineering firm Dunn Associates. While he was talking about the differences between founding and growing a company, the same principle holds true in developing a robust transportation infrastructure. In other words: "What got us here will not take us there." What has taken us here has been development dedicated to personal vehicles and last-mile freight—a stellar network of roads and highways from massive investments in horizontal construction. But what will get us "there" to the promised land? What will bring us to a future where Utahns can have the freedom to move without a car? Unified Plan for a Connected Utah? We'll certainly wander in the West Desert without a plan. Lucky us, we have hundreds of agreed-upon proposals across metropolitan planning organizations, cities and towns, counties, and even the Utah Department of Transportation. The Beehive State's guiding document toward long-term transportation plans, whether for cars or not, is found in the Utah Unified Transportation Plan, also known as the Unified Plan. The visionary document aims to prioritize funding across multiple transportation options and give residents choices, ranging from personal vehicles to mass transit and active transportation. Residents and metropolitan planning organizations across the state have added their input to further unify the state's trajectory. Key in Utah's Unified Plan, as documented, is analyzing and ultimately determining how transportation projects in Utah should be funded between 2023 - 2050. With projected needs across that timeline estimated at $153 billion in today's dollars, current revenue sources generating just under a projected $95 billion, and future revenue streams projected to generate just over $18 billion, we're going to be short. But where is that money going? Most often, it's funding roads. According to the Unified Plan, transportation needs from road capacity, maintenance, preservation, and operations project at a whopping $110 billion between 2023 - 2050, with a $29 billion funding gap in revenue. Funding future mass transit capacity ($14.8 billion) and operations ($19.8 billion) over the next 25 years costs a fraction of the projected costs for roads and highways. It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, admittedly, as massive funding for highways and freeways has created so much, but where do state priorities lead? Budget at a Glance Utah continues to tread the asphalt and concrete highway to prioritize highway funding. UDOT's FY2026 funding document shows $2.5 billion in funding. Estimated Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) expenditures, primarily used for improving or optimizing capacity, are projected at $1.2 billion. Within the TIF, Class B & Class C Roads, county roads and city streets, respectively, will receive $261 million, Highway Systems Construction $205 million, and Operations/Maintenance $254 million. It makes sense when $883 million in projected revenue for FY2026 comes from user-based fees, permits, and gas tax revenues (set to be 40 cents per gallon in 2026). On the other hand, UDOT-funded mass transit receives a bulk of its budget from the above-mentioned Transportation Investment Fund—35% of the index fuel tax sales tax goes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. For FY2026, transit and commuter rail projects will receive $103 million. John Gleason, UDOT's Sr. Public Information Officer, said there is a major shift happening within UDOT over the last decade-plus to give some "gas" to other forms of transportation. "All transportation is important to us. For every project we undertake, we are looking at the different components across all modes—cars, transit, bikes, trails," Gleason said. "We need to keep an eye on how the entire transportation system can function across the state." The words and shift in priorities are welcome, but what "Keeps Utah Moving", will not be more highway lanes or highway construction that receives the lion's share of transportation funding. Utah highways, like those in so many other states, are the victims of induced demand. The phenomenon is a matter of economics. For vehicle transportation, each lane added, highway developed, or road widened helps to expand capacity on these newly modified transportation corridors. However, expanding capacity does not mean solving traffic concerns. While capacity expands, more people are "induced" to use these freshly expanded corridors, lanes fill back to capacity, and commutes return to their sluggish nature. This never-ending quest to meet our transportation needs is set to play out again on I-15. UDOT is set to add another lane on I-15 from Farmington to Salt Lake, and do so at a multi-billion-dollar price tag. Surely this lane will be "The One" that fixes the traffic problem on Utah's busiest transit corridor? Utah may still be adjusting to roundabouts, but will we ever get out of this circle?

Limitless Sky

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Standing atop the now-tallest building in Utah—the dynamic 451-foot, 680,000-SF Astra Tower in downtown Salt Lake City—Lance Shields was succinct in describing the otherworldly, 360-degree views available from the 41st-floor rooftop patio. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” mused Shields, a Principal with Salt Lake-based HKS Architects and one of a half-dozen architects on HKS’ team who contributed to the design of Astra Tower, which features 377 total units, two levels of penthouse suites, and more than 40,000-SF of top-shelf amenity space. Peering southeast to majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains, Shields referenced the striking cantilever structure gracing the building’s southeast corner—a concession that preserved the breathtaking view by eliminating what would have been a structural column. Adding this approximately $2 million change to the bottom line only further illustrated the owner’s desire for a world-class luxury apartment tower. “The uninterrupted views of the valley are really breathtaking at the top floor and is the one thing that visitors I have taken through the project consistently comment on as the best experience they have had,” said Shields, adding that it would have been easy to justify a column in that corner. “I have to hand it to the vision of our team and the owner to see the value of the views and taking steps to preserve it.” Indeed, Boston-headquartered Kensington Investment Company (KIC) had been eyeing the Salt Lake market since 2017, ready to make a splash. In 2018, it purchased the site once home to Carl’s Jr. and hired HKS in 2019 to get the ball rolling on the design side. The pandemic forced KIC to pause its timeline, with construction formally kicking off in January 2022, led by Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction. “We were taking an enormous risk and writing a massive check while making sure we had as many people with experience on our team as we practically could,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of KIC. “We asked ourselves if Salt Lake City was ready for this kind of product—with no [like-building comparisons] to look to—while making the project financially successful. Putting together the capital stack with no comps in the state, and ensuring the team knew what they were doing, was challenging.” Engagement with the community was a priority from the start, said Shane Rensmon, President of Real Estate Development for KIC, as was finding local A/E/C firms with the moxie to take on a unique hybrid design-build project of this magnitude, a delivery method “not common in Salt Lake City, but common across major markets,” he said. “Ownership wanted to utilize local consultants and vendors as much as possible to get the community involved and engaged with the project, which presented new challenges in designing and constructing Astra Tower,” said Rensmon. “We leveraged [KIC’s] skills and experiences to help guide the design and construction teams on issues that they have not seen before or had little to no experience in.” Hotel-like Vibe with Unmatched Amenities Emir Tursic is no stranger to massive projects, having cut his teeth in the hospitality realm as a draftsman-turned-project architect for HKS on Block A of the enormous $10 billion MGM City Center project in Las Vegas from 2007-2008, which included the 61-story, 600,000-SF Aria Hotel. “It was a project I grew up very quickly with,” recalled Tursic, Office Director for HKS’ Salt Lake office, who ended up managing part of the project before it ended. “After this, I could go to the moon and not be scared of anything.” Even amidst the challenges for Tursic and his team, Astra Tower proved to be one of the most exciting, generational opportunities in the realm of world-class residential high-rise design that—ho-hum—also sets a record as the state’s tallest-ever building. “We wanted to create a sustainable urban community that focuses on wellness and sustainability,” said Tursic. “Sustainability is not just about energy and carbon footprint, it’s also [about] health and wellness and the environment. We have this huge amenity program—40,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities space focused on physical and mental health.” Tursic said dispersing major amenities across three building levels was a key functional design consideration. Level 8 kicks things off with an expansive club lounge that includes a demonstration kitchen and entertainment area, a state-of-the-art fitness center where views overlook Gallivan Plaza, a remote office space with a conference room and meeting rooms, and what Tursic calls “The bonus space”—an expansive 10,000 SF outdoor urban park. “Instead of a roof on top of the eight-story parking structure, we created a space with an outdoor lawn, hammocks, fire pits, grills—it’s a great social space for Astra’s residential community,” he said. Level 23 includes the outdoor pool and indoor spa, highlighted by a wellness center, steam room, sauna, recovery spas, treatment rooms, and private locker rooms. The pool deck overlook offers excellent views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Level 41 tops the amenity spaces—literally—with an outdoor kitchen, entertainment area, and a spacious outdoor viewing deck that looks down on Salt Lake’s adjacent tallest buildings. “We wanted to provide a variety of experiences,” said Tursic. “The 41st floor is meant for quiet and solitude.” ROAM Interior Design of Los Angeles provided interior design on every level. "With Astra Tower, we set out to design interiors that reflect both the soul and natural beauty of Utah, infused with the energy of modern city living," said Deanne Teeter, Design Director at ROAM. “Every amenity—from the tranquil spa on the 23rd floor to the rooftop lounge with panoramic views—is intentionally crafted to foster wellness through biophilic connection and a true sense of home in the sky." “Astra Tower was purposefully designed to exemplify KIC's commitment to o perating market-leading apartment buildings, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an unwavering dedication to service excellence,” said Joe Bird, Vice President of Real Estate Development for KIC. “This intentional design ensures an unparalleled living experience, blending sophisticated facilities with exceptional resident-focused service to set a new standard for urban residential excellence in Utah.”

One for the Ages

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Ralph L. Wadsworth watches demolition activity on the I-80/1300 East Bridge Slide in August 2023 with granddaughter, Bradynn Wadsworth (Tod’s daughter), illustrating his genuine passion for construction. (all photos courtesy RLW Construction)

Community First

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
First. Best. Leader. These are some of the many positive ways people described the late Marshall White, the civic hero and namesake of Ogden's past and future community centers. Marshall White is remembered as the first black police officer in Utah killed in the line of duty after being fatally shot in 1963. Equally important was his dedication to other causes outside of police work: the loving father of seven children; veteran and military doctor who helped establish a clinic at Hill Air Force Base post-WWII; youth mentor who partnered with the Elk's Club to establish the Wall Avenue Recreation Center; President of the Ogden chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marshall White embodied community, and the original Marshall White Community Center, constructed five years after he died in 1968, was its physical manifestation. The building became a safe haven for youth, especially those with darker skin and different ethnicities from those of Utah "pioneer" ancestry, to learn to swim, take art classes, and participate in sports. But as time passed, the building fell into disrepair as Ogden's population shrank from the 1970s through the 1980s. Structural issues in the building appeared before a crack in the pool grew into a metaphorical chasm as COVID and its effects further disconnected society. Ogden needed champions who would follow in White's footsteps to bring people together, and create a space that would continue his community-building legacy. New Center; Relit Community Beacon Salt Lake-based VCBO was hired in 2020 to evaluate the old facility and propose future alternatives. It began, as VCBO Principal Brent Tippets described, "to replace a failing pool and building. […] It quickly became apparent that this community revolved around the Marshall N. White Community Center as both a gathering space and a historical icon for all minorities and people of humble circumstances." "Budget is always a challenge, but perhaps meeting all the affected parties' expectations was more so," said Tippets. "What was originally a pool and gymnasium replacement became a versatile destination with a plethora of participation options. He and the VCBO team worked with an Ogden City-appointed steering committee of passionate residents who provided valuable input on the importance and utilization of recreation and community spaces. "The Mayor, City Council, and City administration were committed to funding the project at the required level to achieve the grander vision for the facility," said Tippets. The Ogden City Council initially set aside $18 million and later increased the budget to $32 million for a new, 68,900-SF community building, doubling the size of the previous structure. Construction Challenges But challenges arose as soon as excavation commenced. Construction teams led by Vernal-based BHI encountered a dark, organic-looking soil that was previously undiscovered in geotechnical test borings. The surprise soil raised immediate concerns due to its lack of stability and reliability in compaction. BHI's history as an industrial contractor, where safety and lightning-fast communication are treasured, escalated the soil problems immediately. They collaborated and aligned with ownership, geotechnical engineers, and designers amidst evolving conditions to create a plan. Instead of utilizing native soils as initially planned, excavation teams removed the unsuitable material and imported structural fill from Ogden and nearby Plain City to meet compaction and bearing requirements, all while maintaining oh-so-important project momentum. "Working with Ogden City involved a different set of communication and coordination protocols than our typical projects," said BHI Superintendent Scot Marrot. "There was a greater emphasis on public transparency and adherence to specific city regulations. However, it was incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with the city officials who were passionate about providing a valuable resource for their community. The partnership fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in the final outcome."

Daybreak: Then and Now

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Thoughtful consideration on Oquirrh Lake transformed the initial idea for the water feature into a community and ecological asset. The 67-acre lake weaves around the 130-acre recreation space, residential area, and wildlife habitat. (Main rendering and photo pictured courtesy LHM)