Salt Lake City — The West Quarter, an ultra-modern, multi-use urban development, reached a major project milestone on Thursday with the ceremonial placement of the final steel beam for its first hotel and a main residential tower.  

Taking place on Salt Lake City’s west side across from the Vivint Arena, the thrilling milestone marks the successful completion of major structural work on the first phase of this 737,000 square-foot downtown Salt Lake City project. Full completion of this phase is scheduled for 2022.  

Commissioned by major downtown developers, The Ritchie Group and Garn Development and built by Jacobsen Construction, The West Quarter is a large, high-profile property that will add unique elements to downtown living, downtown hospitality, and urban nightlife for Salt Lake City.  

“The West Quarter will contribute significantly to a vibrant and sophisticated urban core as Salt Lake City’s stature among American cities continues to ascend,” says Ryan Ritchie, founder and principal of The Ritchie Group. 

The West Quarter master plan aspires to thrill visitors and residents while strengthening the neighborhood surrounding Vivint Arena as an active, thriving destination, day or night. 

In construction, beam topping (also referred to as “topping out”) is a historical builders’ rite dating back centuries, traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its creation. In the present day, the ceremony has become an important milestone marker for the surrounding community and those interested in the health and strength of the local economy and the vibe of the building’s location. 

“Seeing the final beam go into place today was a truly special occasion for everyone involved on this project,” said Jacobsen Construction Project Manager Tony Castillo, who is overseeing all work at the site. “And because of this project, anyone with an interest in what Salt Lake City has to offer has great reason to be excited.”  

For starters, The West Quarter’s residential tower will add 230 housing units to Salt Lake City. Its dual-branded hotel tower will hold a total of 270 rooms, expanding the city’s hospitality capacity.   

Another major feature of The West Quarter will be Quarter Row, a curb-less, pedestrian-focused street running through the development that will feature a host of thriving high-end restaurants, bars and retailers not found anywhere else in Utah. A video feature with footage of a massive concrete pour for the project and more information can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRG8x4JHM28 

Ritchie, Castillo, and Salt Lake City councilmembers Amy Fowler and Ana Valdemoros delivered speeches to about 350 onsite craftworkers during Thursday’s celebration. 

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