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Hotel Utah
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View from the South.
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| Location: | S. Temple and Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah |
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| Area: | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built: | 1909-1911 |
| Architect: | Parkinson & Bergstrom |
| Architectural style: | Classical Revival, Modern Italian Renaissance |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 78002673[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | January 03, 1978 |
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is named in honor of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. It is located on the corner of Main Street and South Temple in Salt Lake City. Previously the Hotel Utah, it is now an administrative building. On January 3, 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Hotel Utah.[1]
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The corner of Main Street and South Temple has long been important in Utah history. Prior to construction of the Hotel Utah in 1909-11, the general tithing office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a bishop's storehouse, and the Deseret News printing plant all were located on the site.
Work on the Second Renaissance Revival style hotel, designed by the Los Angeles architectural firm of Parkinson and Bergstrom, began in June 1909. Two years later, on June 9, 1911, the Hotel Utah opened for business. While the LDS church was the primary stockholder, many Mormon and non-Mormon community and business leaders also purchased stock in the effort to provide the city with a first-class hotel[2].
"The largest and finest bar in the West [was built] in the basement of the Hotel" to pay off a $2M construction loan. The financing was secured by Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley, from New York financier Charles Baruch. But the scheme obviously required the sales of hard liquor. When informed of building a bar, “President [Joseph F.] Smith went through the ceiling; which was it to be, the word of Wisdom or fiscal soundness?" In the end, President Smith capitulated[3].
The ten-story building has a concrete and steel structure and is covered with white glazed terra cotta and brick. Various additions and remodelings have occurred throughout the years, including a substantial expansion to the north and modifications to the roof-top dining facilities.
The building ceased operations as a hotel in August 1987. A major remodeling and adaptive reuse project to accommodate both community and church functions was completed in 1993[4]. Church leader Gordon B. Hinckley chose the name when he observed that there were many monuments to pioneer leader and Utah founder Brigham Young, but none to Joseph Smith.
2011 marks the celebration of 100 years since initial construction was completed on the Hotel Utah. [5] Historical displays are currently on display in the lobby.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now uses this building as follows:
| Preceded by Boston Building |
Tallest Building in Salt Lake City 1911 - 1912 56m |
Succeeded by Walker Center |
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