Pantages Theater site offered as location for new concert hall

SALT LAKE CITY — The plot of land where the Pantages Theater once stood has been offered as a possible site for a new, rebuilt Abravanel Hall. 

Building Salt Lake, a local news source for real estate and development, obtained records that show the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency offered the lot as a possible new site. 

The outlet reported, that the Pantages Theater was originally going to be replaced with a 31-story residential tower. However, plans were paused indefinitely when the project ran into funding issues. 

KSL.com reported that county records show Main Street Tower, LLC, a company affiliated with Hines Development, an international real estate firm, still owns the property. 

It is unknown if Hines, the agency in charge of the 31-story tower project, still has plans to use the land. 

Future of Abravanel Hall remains unknown 

After public outrage at the proposed demolition of the concert hall, Salt Lake City officials postponed their plans. There are currently no plans to build a new concert hall at the site of the old Pantages Theater. 

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson later said that she wishes to keep the concert hall “in its present form.”

Abravanel Hall sits within two blocks east of the Delta Center. Smith Entertainment Group has been working with Salt Lake County officials on a plan to lease the area. This is part of its proposed downtown revitalization. 

They have until July 1, 2025 to reach an agreement with county officials. 

Mariah Maynes contributed to this report. 

Related: 

• A look into the special process of designing a concert hall
• Renovating Abravanel Hall “makes more sense,” petition organizer says
• Mayor trying to keep Abravanel Hall “in its present form”