Smith Entertainment Group Unveiled Development Plans
The project will reshape a downtown Salt Lake City district with a new concert venue, hotel, and convention center.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe major downtown development projects improve your community's quality of life?
Smith Entertainment Group has revealed updated development plans for a downtown Salt Lake City district, including a new 6,000-seat concert venue. The massive initiative also incorporates a $1.8 billion reinvestment zone approved by state leaders earlier in 2025.
Why it matters
The project aims to create a continuous pedestrian connection between City Creek and the Delta Center to boost downtown walkability. Officials project the revitalized area will attract 5 million annual visitors upon completion.
The plan replaces 400 feet of active loading docks with new office and retail space. Most of the proposed project buildings will reach a maximum height of 200 feet, significantly lower than the 250-foot hotel and the 450-foot Astra Tower.
The players
Smith Entertainment Group
The organization is the primary developer driving the downtown Salt Lake City district renovation project.
The details
The development plan features a complete overhaul of the Salt Palace Convention Center, replacing the current facility with one that includes two large ballrooms. This effort seeks to modernize the city's ability to host multiple conventions simultaneously.
Timeline
April 2025: State leaders approved the $1.8 billion reinvestment zone.
March 2027: Partial demolition of the existing Salt Palace is scheduled to begin.
Fall 2027: The Salt Palace will close for a three-year renovation period.
Early 2030s: The new convention center is expected to open to the public.
Market Landscape
This project follows a pattern set by the state-approved reinvestment zone by utilizing multi-million dollar bond funding to execute a large-scale urban transformation. It positions the developer to significantly alter the city's tourism footprint against competing regional convention hubs.
Local shoppers and visitors should prepare for a 0.5% sales tax increase implemented to help fund the $900 million in bonds for the project. Commuters and downtown residents will also see long-term construction traffic as the district transitions through its 2030 completion date.
The takeaway
The multi-year renovation of the Salt Palace will temporarily limit the city's large-event capacity during the three-year closure. Residents should monitor official city updates for traffic and construction notices as work begins in 2027.
What happens next
Partial demolition of the Salt Palace is scheduled to begin in March 2027, followed by a full closure of the facility in fall 2027.
Further reading
For more context on local economic shifts, visit Remote Work.
Live Poll
Do you believe major downtown development projects improve your community's quality of life?
