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| Now and then: Now May 2020: Then is from SL Tribune July 2 1931 |
The Capitol Motel located at 1749 S. State Street is currently known as a sketchy property and is proposed for demolition and redevelopment. Its well-earned modern reputation was not always the case, when it was first built in 1931 it was nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood.
The Capitol was built by Marinus J. Gerrltse and his brother-in-law, Frank DeNigtre. Both were immigrants from Amsterdam and were previously in business together owning and operating the Wasatch Service Station at 1767 S. State, just south of the Capitol Motel (This 1929 building is still standing, although heavily modified; it is also proposed for demolition and redevelopment.)
Originally named the Capitol Tourist Apartments and Motor Lodge, this complex was designed by architects Lewis & Nelson and opened to the public in July 1931. This was one of the earliest motor lodges to open in this area of State Street.
The English Tudor style building featured 15 apartments for short or long-term rental, 14 of which boasted their own single-car garage.
Mr. Gerrltse was the general manager of The Capitol for a couple of decades. He mostly lived on site or in an adjacent house with his wife, and often various extended family.
About 1950 the garages of The Capitol were converted to additional motel units increasing its capacity to 21 units. It is also about this time that the two-story office building/cafe with additional units was built (it was later remodeled again to add a covered pool about 1961).
The Capitol is currently owned by the Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME) which is a non-profit subsidiary of the Housing Authority of SLC. Redevelopment plans have been in the works since 2018.
The Capitol was built by Marinus J. Gerrltse and his brother-in-law, Frank DeNigtre. Both were immigrants from Amsterdam and were previously in business together owning and operating the Wasatch Service Station at 1767 S. State, just south of the Capitol Motel (This 1929 building is still standing, although heavily modified; it is also proposed for demolition and redevelopment.)
Originally named the Capitol Tourist Apartments and Motor Lodge, this complex was designed by architects Lewis & Nelson and opened to the public in July 1931. This was one of the earliest motor lodges to open in this area of State Street.
The English Tudor style building featured 15 apartments for short or long-term rental, 14 of which boasted their own single-car garage.
Mr. Gerrltse was the general manager of The Capitol for a couple of decades. He mostly lived on site or in an adjacent house with his wife, and often various extended family.
About 1950 the garages of The Capitol were converted to additional motel units increasing its capacity to 21 units. It is also about this time that the two-story office building/cafe with additional units was built (it was later remodeled again to add a covered pool about 1961).
The Capitol is currently owned by the Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME) which is a non-profit subsidiary of the Housing Authority of SLC. Redevelopment plans have been in the works since 2018.
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| Postcard ca. 1950s |
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| Postcard ca. 1960s. |
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| SL County Assessor photos from a few years ago. Note the sign which is no longer present. |
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| SL County Assessor photos from a few years ago. Note the sign which is no longer present. |
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| May 2020. |
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| May 2020. |
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| May 2020. |
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