Long in the shadow of Denver, Colorado, the hub of the U.S. Mountain West, there’s a new contender built around the marvel of Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake City has long been known as the gateway to the best dry powder skiing and winter sports in the west, as well as for the spectacular mountains and canyons on display in the state’s five national parks.

The driver of this new development goes far beyond the announced expansion and renovation of Temple Square, the 35-acre complex owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the city’s center. With many West Coast high-tech companies moving east to escape the high overhead of operating in California, SLC found itself in competition with cities in Colorado, Texas, Florida and the Carolinas.

However, SLC grabbed a respectable share of the tech market due to its relative lack of congestion, availability of affordable housing, laid-backmountain lifestyle and nearby outdoor sports.

Temple Square © Garry Bryant

Now considered a technology hub, the city has lots of space for new developments. Recent additions include the Post District, a new mixed-use development incorporating apartments, commercial space and public green space, as well as SLC’s newest and tallest residential building, the 41-story Astra Tower.

Temple Square at the heart of downtown SLC remains a major tourist attraction that marks the terminus of the historic 1,300-mile Mormon Trail and documents Mormon and native Utah history. The complex is in the final stages of redevelopment, with its opening scheduled for spring of 2027. This spiritual home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers free guided tours in an incredible 40 languages. Genealogy is a focus of the tours, along with performances by the famous Tabernacle Choir.

Major developments and redevelopments are underway or planned in virtually every direction in the city from the city center and Temple Square. Pickle and Hide in the Granary District, the redevelopment of two historic buildings known as the Utah Pickle buildings, will add 20,000 square feet of commercial and retail space as well as 141 residential units. Also in the Granary District, an 8-acre, city-owned parcel is open for proposals for a mixed-use development including commercial space, affordable housing and midblock streets.

On the west side of the city lies Spark, a transit-oriented development along North Temple Boulevard that includes 200 residential units, retail space, a child care center and courtyard. Also on the west side of city center, The Silos will feature restaurants and shops, a hotel, and 740 housing units amid a half-acre public park.

Many of the planned projects include city and government incentives for developers to reuse existing historical buildings, with incentives also available for the inclusion of affordable housing, parking and transit access. Projects stress a “live, work and play” model in the area to reduce congestion. Included in the plan, the Orange Line light-rail service will connect the city center in all directions to serve the growth of the many planned retail, sports and residential developments without the need for more cars and parking on the streets, truly transforming SLC into a walkable city.

A road and infrastructure project south of downtown, the Sugar House neighborhood, recently reached completion. Much of this development is part of a master plan to prepare for the high number of visitors expected when Salt Lake City hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics. In anticipation of the event, a major expansion is underway at the airport, an important Delta Air Lines hub, including the recent completion of a river tunnel. Phase 3 added 10 new gates, with more on the way in 2026. This mega-expansion is central to the redevelopment and planning of SLC’s downtown rebirth.

Bryce Canyon © Paul Brady

The Downtown Alliance, a group of more than 2,500 businesses and property owners, is working to revitalize central SLC. The city center’s expanded convention facility will include entertainment venues, new and planned restaurants for fine dining, a range of casual bar eateries and outdoor food stalls. No longer just a meat-and-potatoes town, SLC’s food and bar scene has grown exponentially with ethnic restaurants, breweries, bars and live music — you can even take home some tasty Idaho wine. Hotels and meeting facilities will all be walkable or reachable on the Orange Line for business visitors and residents alike. All come with views of the majestic Wasatch Mountains, often snow-covered and shining in the setting sun nine to 10 months of the year.

SCENIC DRIVES

If you enjoy the U.S. Mountain West, some of the most spectacular destinations lie just a short 31-mile drive from central SLC to Park City. As you climb dramatic I-80, the views alone are worth this quick trip to experience one of the country’s most popular ski towns, with its own brand of super-dry powder. The town also proves a popular summer resort with year-round activities including biking, hiking, horseback riding, and float and fishing trips, along with a variety of restaurants for any taste and budget, from fine dining to street food snacks. Check the weather before you leave Salt Lake City, as sudden thunderstorms can cool the town quickly, even in August. Ski season is all about the snow report every morning around the 5,000-acre resort.

For more leisurely mountain views, book dinner aboard a 100-year-old steam train and dine while you take in the spectacular scenery. Among other adventures, Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks include Zion in Springdale, with a steep trail to Angel’s Landing; Bryce Canyon, an alpine forest with red, spire-shaped rock formations; Capital Reef in Torrey, with sweeping vistas; Arches in Moab, which got its name from its 200 natural rock arches; and Canyonlands, also in Moab, with remote stretches for those seeking solitude.