This or That - Preservation or Demolition

Very different attitudes toward community and history between these two owners of prominent historic buildings of Salt Lake City.

Micah Christensen, the new owner of the B'nai Israel Temple building at 249 S 400 E, talks about his sense of stewardship to the community which prompted him to purchase the building and preserve it, making it the home to the new Salt Lake Art Museum (@saltlakeartmuseum). Check out some recent media coverage: Salt Lake Tribune, Fox13

Vs.

Owners Robot Butcher Shop LLC (associated with Petersen family, owners of Overland West, Inc of Ogden) are pursuing demolition of the Phillips Congregational Church, 479 S 700 E. Their real estate agent, Chad Aris of AIM Real Estate Group, told Building Salt Lake they are prioritizing profit.

Of course, it is the owner's prerogative to do what they like with their property.

It's nice that we have community members like Micah Christensen. Thank you!

Demolition of the historic Phillips Congregational Church near Trolley Square

Demotion Pending! 

The historic Phillips Congregational Church near Trolley Square, 479 S 700 East Salt Lake City has a demolition permit filed with Salt Lake City. (The address is also identified as 495 S 700 East due to recent parcel consolidation) .

Owner Robot Butcher Shop LLC (Las Vegas, NV) plans to start demolition at the end of January, per their submitted permit to Salt Lake City.

Robot Butcher LLC is associated with Beer Zombies (Las Vegas), HallPass SLC, and Overland West. A source indicates that Beer Zombies and HallPass are no longer associated with Robot Butcher and it is Overland West, Inc has decided to proceed with the demolition permit. Erik Petersen of Overland West, headquarters in Ogden, was the company's signature for the parcel consolidation application.

This historic church was built in 1907. The church is not a local historic landmark site so there are no legal protections against demolition. It is up to the property owner to decide to demolish it or to keep it.

Building Salt Lake request comment from Erik Petersen who did not return their inquiries; however, their listing agent, Chad Ariss of AIM Real Estate Group did and told Building Salt Lake:

“RBS [Robot Butcher Shop] is exploring all options and entertaining the possibility of a sale prior to demolition for redevelopment or a lease opportunity.”

While that might encourage preservationists, Ariss added, “RBS believes the potential gross income from a ground lease is better than the lease rate with the structures in “as-is” condition and/or also in an updated condition with the necessary improvements done so the buildings are safe and desirable to prospective tenants.”

What about adaptive reuse? Ariss noted that “RBS was engaging in preliminary plans with a brewing company to turn the church building into a brewery, but parking restrictions made that unfeasible for the tenant.”

The Congregational Church is interesting because they delivered the first "Gentile Christian" sermon in SLC on Jan 22 1865 (nearly 160 years ago exactly!)

Of note, the pastor's house is now X-Wife's Place. X-Wife's Place is a separate parcel and is not proposed for demolition.

Some additional photos of the Phillips Congregational Church on 700 East 500 South, Salt Lake City. The property is up for sale (last photo) while the application for the demo permit is being processed by the City.