SALT LAKE CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION

The Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) reviews all applications for landmark sites, demolition and new construction within locally-designated historic districts. They do not review interior work or exterior paint color, only exterior alterations. The majority of the projects presented to the HLC are either approved as submitted or with modifications.

The Avenues Historic District: Listed 1978

Download design standards for The Avenues Historic district (as Adobe Acrobat PDF file).

The Avenues Historic District is the city's largest district, with approximately 2,700 properties. The Avenues was developed from about 1880 to 1930 and like many older neighborhoods in Salt Lake, consists of a rich diversity of architectural styles. This neighborhood is characterized by steep terrain and small blocks of 2.5 acres, compared to the 10-acre blocks of Central City. Designated in 1978, it is the successful culmination of neighborhood activism, city involvement and preservation efforts. The Avenues suffered from a decline in investment after World War II, but turned around as people gradually recognized the value of its historic architecture and the proximity of downtown. The city made low-interest loans available and residents pushed for down zoning, ending the opportunity to develop large, incompatible apartment buildings in the district. The turnaround of the Avenues is a significant preservation success story.