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.

University Historic District: Listed 1991

Download design standards for the University historic district (as Adobe Acrobat PDF file).

Although several homes in the University Historic District were constructed prior to the beginning of the twentieth century, the great majority of residences in this district were constructed from 1900 to 1920 - a period marked by prosperity and growth. Subsequently, the architecture and streetscape of this historic district are the most homogenous of all of Salt Lake City's local historic districts. Situated on the east bench, this neighborhood was popular for development as it was removed from the hustle of downtown and the poor air quality of the valley floor. The establishment of the University of Utah in its current location in 1901 ensured the viability of this neighborhood, and many homes were constructed for university faculty and staff. The neighborhood was not popular for student housing until after World War II; after that time, the character of the neighborhood slowly changed and numerous multi-family apartment buildings were constructed. Dismayed by this development, residents lobbied the Salt Lake City Council to designate the neighborhood as a historic district in 1991 and reduce permitted zoning densities in 1994.