Salt Lake City is preparing for major changes near Temple Square as plans move ahead to demolish significant portions of the Plaza Hotel complex. The project is part of a broader initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to eventually replace the long-standing hotel with a temporary surface parking lot—one that may require special approval under current zoning rules.

What’s Happening Now

Salt Lake City recently received a demolition permit that allows crews to begin tearing down the hotel’s canopy, the adjacent parking structure, and the former JB’s Restaurant site. All three structures are part of the larger Plaza Hotel property.

The permit was filed by Grant Mackay Company, a Utah-based demolition contractor known for large-scale projects. According to the application:

• The parking garage at 102 W. South Temple and the old restaurant at 122 W. South Temple are scheduled for demolition.

• The main hotel building is not included in this phase. It will be addressed “after the abatement is completed.”

• The projected demolition window runs from November 17, 2025, through January 30, 2026.

• Once demolition is complete, the site will require backfilling, which will be handled by an excavation company hired by Layton Construction.

Requests for comment from the Church and Property Reserve Inc. (the Church’s real estate arm) have not yet been returned.

Why the Demolition Matters

The future of the Plaza Hotel first came into question in August, when Property Reserve announced plans to transfer the property to the Church and proceed with demolition. The intention is to use the land as supplemental parking once the Salt Lake Temple reopens in April 2027—a period expected to bring millions of visitors to Downtown Salt Lake City.

However, the proposed parking lot may not fit squarely within updated city zoning laws. Recent changes to Downtown zoning include:

• Surface parking lots must be tied to an active building on the same property.

• A cap limiting new Downtown surface parking to 40 stalls.

These updates were made just before news of the demolition surfaced. In response to concerns, Property Reserve noted in August that it plans to work with Church facilities managers and the Salt Lake City Planning Department to secure any necessary approvals for the project.

What’s Still Uncertain

While the demolition permit outlines the plan for the canopy, parking garage, and former restaurant, it does not say when the main hotel structure will come down. That timeline will depend on the completion of abatement work and additional permitting.

As Downtown continues to evolve—and with the Salt Lake Temple reopening on the horizon—this project is poised to play a significant role in how the area manages the influx of future visitors.

Source: Jacob Scholl @ https://buildingsaltlake.com/lds-church-moving-forward-with-plan-to-demo-plaza-hotel-for-downtown-parking-lot/