Salt Lake County has announced an ambitious timeline for the comprehensive renovation of three major cultural venues in downtown Salt Lake City, with construction scheduled to begin as early as February 2027. The massive overhaul will transform the Salt Palace Convention Center, Abravanel Hall, and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) as part of a broader downtown sports, entertainment, culture, and convention district development.

The county has partnered with MHTN Architects as the lead company on the project, working alongside renowned firms including Populous, Allied Works, and Sparano + Mooney. Populous, a global architectural design firm, brings extensive experience from major projects such as London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is currently developing a new stadium for the NFL's Buffalo Bills. MHTN has previously designed notable local projects including Millcreek City Hall and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office building.

"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 in a statement. Wilson emphasized that the project will enhance community opportunities through intentional placemaking, improving venues and creating better walkability and connectivity in downtown Salt Lake City. "The district will become a gathering space for residents and visitors alike," she added, expressing gratitude to the Utah State Legislature, Salt Lake City, Smith Entertainment Group, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for making the project possible.

The financial scope of the renovation project is substantial, with total costs estimated at a minimum of $949.75 million and potentially reaching $1.4 billion when including soft costs such as consultant fees and permitting. According to Ryan S. Henrie, Salt Lake County's associate division director of facilities management, the project is divided into two phases: Phase 1, the planning phase running from September 2025 through January 2026, will cost $1.15 million, while Phase 2, encompassing design, bidding, and construction, is budgeted between $900 million and $1.1 billion. Additionally, the county will pay the architect a 5.4% fee based on construction costs, amounting to between $48.6 million and $59.4 million.

The construction timeline reveals that initial work will commence on February 16, 2027, beginning with the demolition of the Salt Palace portion recently purchased by Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith. Full construction is expected to occur between December 2028 and October 2030, with the Salt Palace scheduled for completion by October 2030. The county hopes to complete construction on Abravanel Hall and UMOCA within the same timeframe. Architectural renderings for all three renovated venues are expected to be released between mid-summer and early fall of 2026.

The Salt Palace Convention Center renovation will significantly expand its capabilities, featuring an estimated 110,000-square-foot ballroom space, more than doubling the current 45,000-square-foot facility. The convention center's exhibit halls will encompass approximately 485,000 square feet, roughly 30,000 square feet smaller than the current space. Support areas, including kitchens, hallways, offices, bathrooms, and mechanical systems, will occupy an estimated 547,000 square feet of the renovated building. The renovation will also replace approximately 400 parking spaces on the property, though specific locations for these spaces have not yet been determined.

For Abravanel Hall, Utah architecture firm Sparano + Mooney will partner with MHTN on the renovation, with John Sparano and Anne Mooney serving as design leads. The architects have been working on feasibility studies and master plans for both Abravanel Hall and UMOCA since 2023. Salt Lake County's requirements emphasize that "the iconic nature of the current hall will need to continue in the new facility," with plans to reuse brick and other elements from the existing structure in the new construction. The majority of renovations will focus on the building's back-of-house areas, including dock and staging areas, storage spaces, stage offices, crew rooms, and restrooms, estimated to measure between 4,500 and 9,000 square feet. Performer support areas, including dressing rooms and related facilities, will total between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet.

The UMOCA renovation will involve a slight reduction in total space, from approximately 36,000 square feet to between 28,000 and 35,000 square feet. Allied Works, a national architecture firm known for designing buildings such as Denver's Clyfford Still Museum and St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum, will serve as the design lead for UMOCA's construction. The renovated museum will maintain current art gallery standards while incorporating modern features including seven gallery spaces with at least one double-height gallery and one space specifically designed for multimedia exhibits.

The new UMOCA will feature a 150-seat auditorium, eight artist-in-residence creation spaces, and a multifunctional education space for classes, workshops, and community engagement. Technical support facilities will include an art shop, kitchen, art storage vault, fabrication shop, and administrative offices. The museum will also include an enhanced lobby with guest services and a boutique merchandise shop. This comprehensive renovation represents a significant investment in Salt Lake City's cultural infrastructure, positioning the downtown district as a premier destination for arts, entertainment, and convention activities.