Salt Lake County is preparing for a significant overhaul of key downtown venues, with construction on the Salt Palace Convention Center, Abravanel Hall, and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) set to begin as early as February 2027. This extensive project is part of a larger sports, entertainment, culture, and convention district development. Details of these plans emerged from a contract between the county and MHTN Architects, obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through an open records request.
The revitalization aims to improve visitor experiences and enhance community spaces. MHTN Architects, known for projects like Millcreek City Hall, is partnering with global firm Populous, which has worked on major venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Key Takeaways
- Construction on the Salt Palace, Abravanel Hall, and UMOCA to start by February 2027.
- Total project cost estimated between $949.75 million and $1.4 billion.
- Salt Palace to gain a larger ballroom and updated exhibit space.
- Abravanel Hall renovation focuses on back-of-house and performer support areas.
- UMOCA will feature new galleries, an auditorium, and artist-in-residence spaces.
Project Scope and Cost Estimates
The total cost for renovating these three venues is projected to be at least $949.75 million. This figure could reach up to $1.4 billion when including additional expenses like consultant fees and permitting. Ryan S. Henrie, Salt Lake County’s associate division director of facilities management, provided these estimates.
The project is divided into two main financial phases. Phase 1, the planning stage from September 2025 through January 2026, is estimated at $1.15 million. Phase 2, which covers design, bidding, and construction, has an estimated cost between $900 million and $1.1 billion.
These cost estimates are subject to change once the construction phase begins. The county will also pay the architect a fee of 5.4% based on the construction cost, amounting to an additional $48.6 million to $59.4 million. Renderings for the renovated Salt Palace, Abravanel Hall, and UMOCA are expected between mid-summer and early fall of 2026.
"These selections represent some of the best talent in the industry, with a unique and necessary blending of local and national expertise," said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. "As excited as I am to see the new district develop and our visitor economy grow, I’m most excited about enhancing community opportunities through intentional placemaking."
Projected Costs
- Total Project Cost: $949.75 million to $1.4 billion
- Phase 1 (Planning): $1.15 million (Sept 2025 - Jan 2026)
- Phase 2 (Design & Construction): $900 million - $1.1 billion
- Architect Fee: 5.4% of construction cost ($48.6 million - $59.4 million)
Construction Timeline and Milestones
Initial construction is scheduled to commence on February 16, 2027. On this date, the portion of the Salt Palace recently acquired by Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth, is slated for demolition. Full construction activities are anticipated to take place between December 2028 and October 2030.
The Salt Palace is expected to be completed by October 2030. The county aims to complete construction on Abravanel Hall and UMOCA within the same timeframe. This aggressive schedule highlights the county's commitment to transforming the downtown area quickly.
Project Partners
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed gratitude for the collaboration. "We have deep gratitude for the Utah State Legislature, our partners at Salt Lake City, Smith Entertainment Group, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for making this possible." This collaborative effort underscores the broad support for the downtown district development.
Salt Palace Renovation Details
The Salt Palace Convention Center renovation will include a significantly expanded ballroom space. The new ballroom is estimated to be 110,000 square-feet. This is more than double the current ballroom size of approximately 45,000 square-feet, according to Visit Salt Lake.
The convention center's exhibit halls will measure about 485,000 square-feet. This represents a reduction of roughly 30,000 square-feet compared to the current space. Support areas, including kitchens, hallways, offices, bathrooms, and mechanical facilities, are estimated to span 547,000 square-feet of the renovated building.
The project also includes plans to replace approximately 400 parking spaces on the property. Specific details regarding the new locations for these parking spaces are not yet available.
Abravanel Hall Overhaul
The renovation of Abravanel Hall will be a collaborative effort. Utah architecture firm Sparano + Mooney is partnering with MHTN for this specific part of the project. John Sparano and Anne Mooney, who have conducted feasibility studies and master plans for Abravanel Hall and UMOCA since 2023, will lead the design.
A key requirement for the architect is to preserve the hall's iconic character. The county's guidelines state, "The iconic nature of the current hall will need to continue in the new facility." There is also an opportunity to reuse existing materials, such as brick, in the new construction.
The majority of the work on Abravanel Hall will focus on the back-of-house areas. These include the dock/staging area, storage, stage offices, crew rooms, and restrooms. These spaces are expected to measure between 4,500 and 9,000 square-feet after renovation. Performer support areas, such as dressing rooms, will total between 5,000 and 10,000 square-feet.
- Design Leads: John Sparano and Anne Mooney (Sparano + Mooney)
- Focus: Preserve iconic nature, reuse materials (e.g., brick)
- Back-of-House: 4,500 - 9,000 square-feet
- Performer Support: 5,000 - 10,000 square-feet
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) Transformation
The UMOCA renovation will adjust the building's total space. The current 36,000 square-feet will be reduced to an area between 28,000 and 35,000 square-feet. Allied Works, a national architecture firm known for designing the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, will lead the design for UMOCA.
The new UMOCA will maintain current art gallery standards. It will feature seven gallery spaces, including at least one double-height gallery and one dedicated to multimedia exhibits. An important addition will be a 150-seat auditorium.
The redesigned museum will also include eight artist-in-residence creation spaces and a multifunctional education area for classes, workshops, and community engagement. Technical support facilities, such as an "art shop," kitchen, art storage vault, fabrication shop, and administrative offices, are also planned. The lobby will feature a guest services area and a boutique/merchandise shop.
New UMOCA Features
- Seven gallery spaces (including double-height and multimedia)
- 150-seat auditorium
- Eight artist-in-residence creation spaces
- Multifunctional education space
- Technical support areas (art shop, kitchen, storage, fabrication)
- Lobby with guest services and merchandise shop
Mayor Wilson emphasized the broader community benefits of the project. She stated that the initiative would lead to improved venues, better walkability, and enhanced connectivity in downtown Salt Lake City. The district is intended to become a central gathering place for both residents and visitors.
This comprehensive redevelopment represents a significant investment in Salt Lake County’s cultural and convention infrastructure. It aims to modernize facilities, attract more visitors, and provide enriched experiences for the local community.
