June 4, 2024

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Salt Lake City has chosen a development team for the renovation of the Historic Northwest Pipeline Building and the redevelopment of the surrounding property.

The project, named “The Grove,” aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood that integrates seamlessly with the community. This decision follows a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process led by a 10-person committee of community members and City officials. The development team comprises Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME), Xylem Projects, and Common Ground Institute.

“We must build a sustainable Salt Lake City for families, and the development team selected is helping us reach that goal by preserving an iconic piece of architecture and bolstering the quality of life for the entire neighborhood,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Located on 200 South, The Grove will have unparalleled access to the state’s most frequent transit service combined with families’ ability to utilize free transit passes supported by the City for K-12 students and their parent or guardian.”

The Grove will feature two new residential buildings with ground-floor retail and the renovated Northwest Pipeline Building for residential and commercial use. These buildings will be connected by public open spaces and pedestrian-friendly streets with public art. The design of the new buildings aims to complement the historic structure in scale and aesthetics. The development team, including historic preservation consultant EHT Traceries, Inc., is committed to preserving this historic landmark.

“We’re excited to find a partnership group that shares the City’s vision for the reuse of this historic building,” said Blake Thomas, Director of the City’s Department of Community and Neighborhoods. “The emphasis on family-sized units, ownership opportunities, childcare, public art, and other amenities will bring new life to the property and our downtown.”

The new community proposes 244 mixed-income units. Approximately 26% of units in the Northwest Pipeline Building are planned to offer pathways to homeownership. The proposed development is centered around creating a family-friendly community, with an estimated 60% of the units sized to accommodate families. The team is committed to partnering with an on-site childcare provider to support families at The Grove and downtown commuters.

The proposal focuses on sustainability with progressive parking strategies, water conservation, all-electric buildings, and low-carbon energy sources.

HAME, Xylem Projects, and Common Ground Institute are committed to community engagement and strategic partners with community groups and neighbors. They plan to activate the area early, before construction, by hosting family-friendly community events on-site.  

 “We are thrilled to partner with Mayor Mendenhall to preserve the Northwest Pipeline Building and redevelop adjacent parking lots,” said Dan Nackerman, President of HAME. “The Grove aims to create a stronger community by preserving historic architecture, building sustainable housing, and providing essential amenities and transit access. It will be a place where opportunities thrive.

Now that the team has been selected, they will enter into negotiations with the City on the final design and financial elements of the project. During this time, the team plans to update and engage with community partners on a regular basis. This process is anticipated to take several months, and upon its conclusion, will result in a phased construction of the project. The team will finalize the design of The Grove in collaboration with the City.

The Northwest Pipeline Building, located at 300 East and 200 South, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1958 in the International Style, it is one of only two commercial buildings in this style in Utah. Most recently, it was acquired by the City in the 1980s and the building was used as Salt Lake City’s police and fire headquarters until those uses were relocated in 2013.