I had to snicker at the recent Focus section from our esteemed local architects that voted for the best and ugliest buildings in Salt Lake City. I am not sure, but I think they may have missed the beauty of the Salt Lake Valley and what the diversity of these buildings have toward downtown Salt Lake City.
If you look at what some architectural firms have done to "beautify" cities, I am confident that some are for the good and some are just plain overdone. For example, check out the Lloyds of London building located in the heart of London. Now that is something to be proud of!
Interestingly enough, I had several individuals in from the West Coast, and they marveled at the different buildings that we had from the Temple to the American Stores Building, to the City and County Building, to name a few. Different and unique?
Yes. I also found one of the most humorous comments made by the firms interviewed, was the applauding approval of the "very gorgeous" (ha-ha) First Security Bank Building. I was kind of hoping that the wrecking ball was going to move in shortly and replace that "modernism of technical excellence" that everyone has to drive by and see when they are going to check in to their hotel room at beautiful new hotel addition at The Grand America. So much for everyone having their own opinion.
Oh, by the way, which firm is responsible for suggesting to the owner of the Flower Patch Store located on 500 S. State to "spruce up" that store versus tearing down that gorgeous piece and replacing it with something that looks "architecturally sound" instead of pulling my visor down when I drive past that location?
Steve Kasteler
Bountiful