Archives West Finding Aid

On 17 April 1909, a group of prominent businessmen from varied religious and ethnic backgrounds met at the Deseret National Bank to discuss the need for a new hotel on Main Street in Salt Lake City. The new hotel was to become the city's show piece, a social gathering cernter, and a symbol of Mormon and non-Mormon cooperation in the city's development. Days later, the Mormon church president, Joseph F. Smith, lent his support to the endeavor and announced that the church would allow the new hotel to replace its central tithing store house on the corner of Main Street and North Temple. Construction began in June of 1909 with as many as 550 men working on the building each day. The finest furnishings of the period were purchased to decorate the interior, and the use of white granite and porcelain covered pure-white terra-cotta resulted in the hotel's distinctive exterior. The building was topped with an ornate white dome in the shape of a beehive, the state's symbol of cooperative industry. The grand opening took place the evening of 8 June 1911, when religious leaders, public officials, leading businessmen, and other prominent members of the community gathered in the new building. The opening of the elegant hotel was seen as the beginning of community cooperation on behalf of the city's progress and future development. Catering to presidents, newlyweds, celebrities, businessmen, royalty, and vacationers from around the world, the Hotel Utah developed a reputation as one of the finest hotels in the country. Recognition of its fine food and quality service came in the form of numerous awards from the travel industry. Additionally, community events such as governor's balls, wedding receptions, afternoon teas, and high school proms served to make the hotel an integral part of the Salt Lake City community. Over the years, the Hotel Utah has undergone remodeling and renovation on numerous occasions. The most extensive remodeling took place in 1974 when the hotel launched a multi-million dollar modernization project that included two new wings of guest rooms, a grand ballroom, private meeting rooms, and a 10,000 square-foot exhibition hall. This new addition gave the Hotel Utah the distinction of having the largest convention facilities of any hotel in the state. In 1984, the Westin Hotels Company assumed management of the hotel, renaming it the Westin Hotel Utah. Two years later, the hotel celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary with a wide array of activities including old time movies, fashion shows, an antique car show and parade, big band dancing, and the traditional birthday cake. On 12 March 1987, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), owners of the Hotel Utah, announced the hotel would be closed due to financial losses and the need for extensive renovations. Despite protests and demonstrations from members of the community, the Hotel Utah closed it's doors in August 1987. Future plans for the building include a meeting house for LDS Church members living in the downtown area, and additional administrative office space for the LDS Church.