Historic Fifth Ward Meetinghouse Renovated in Salt Lake City
The 1910 building is being restored to house recovery units after facing near-demolition.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
Live Poll
Do you support using for-profit business revenue to subsidize local nonprofit housing initiatives?
Skyler Baird has begun the renovation of the historic Fifth Ward meetinghouse at 740 S. 300 West in Salt Lake City. The property, which was nearly demolished in 2024, is being repurposed to provide 18 recovery housing units.
Why it matters
Banks were unwilling to finance the restoration under a standard nonprofit model, leading the owner to use a hybrid business structure to fund the project. This allows for the integration of social services within a historic property that might otherwise have been lost.
The meetinghouse was originally constructed in 1910 at 740 S. 300 West. The project is designed to accommodate 18 housing units for the nonprofit Salt of the Earth.
The players
Skyler Baird
He is the property owner currently leading the renovation of the historic meetinghouse.
Salt of the Earth
This is the nonprofit organization slated to operate the recovery housing units on the property.
BoostedSafe
This for-profit entity will occupy the top half of the building to subsidize the nonprofit development.
Preservation Utah
This organization provided a low-interest loan to support the reconstruction of the building's steps.
The details
The owner is using a for-profit entity called BoostedSafe to occupy the top half of the building, which subsidizes the nonprofit recovery housing units below. The site also received a low-interest loan from Preservation Utah specifically to aid in the reconstruction of the chapel's front steps.
Timeline
The church was originally constructed in 1910.
The building faced near-demolition during Easter 2024.
Skyler Baird acquired the property in late 2024.
Renovation progress on the front steps became visible by October 6, 2026.
The owner expects the renovation project to be completed in October 2027.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader movement to repurpose surplus religious structures into essential social infrastructure. It marks a departure from historical norms by blending for-profit business models with non-profit housing goals to ensure the preservation of community architecture.
The restoration prevents the total loss of a 1910 landmark, preserving the historic character of the neighborhood. Additionally, the development creates 18 housing units dedicated to individuals recovering from addiction.
The takeaway
Creative financing models can successfully bridge the gap between historic preservation goals and modern social service needs. Local developers continue to demonstrate how adaptive reuse can provide both cultural and community benefits.
What happens next
The renovation project is currently scheduled for completion in October 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the local religious architectural landscape in the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
Live Poll
Do you support using for-profit business revenue to subsidize local nonprofit housing initiatives?
