Developers unveil 240-foot Sugar House building, sparking criticism from many residents

SALT LAKE CITY — Developers behind a proposal to create a new zone for their property that would nearly triple the maximum height allowed in the Sugar House neighborhood’s business district contend their project won’t be quite as high as the possible 305-foot maximum.

However, what they presented Wednesday drew audible gasps and groans from some residents and business owners as renderings were projected onto a screen inside a packed community council meeting. The current design, proposed by Harbor Bay Ventures, calls for a 21-story high-rise that would be about 240 feet tall — more than double the current maximum in the district.

It’s not the final version of what the Illinois-based development firm may build at 1095 E. 2100 South. Dan Whalen, Harbor Bay’s vice president of design and development, reiterated that the project is a work in progress and could be scaled down during the planning process.

“It’s not Sugar House. It would take away all the charm from Sugar House,” said Emily Potts, owner of Sugar House Coffee, a business located across the street from the proposed building, after the presentation.

Read Carter Williams’ full story here.