Sean's Sunday Stroll in Sunny SugarHouse

[Sean Reynolds]

Welcome to SugarHouse - this be MY neighborhood. It's located in the south-eastern part of the Salt Lake City limits.

SugarHouse is one of Salt Lake City's largest and most diverse neighborhoods. Located about 6 miles east of downtown Salt Lake City, SugarHouse became a trolley suburb in the early 1920s. As the area expanded, so did the demand for local retail. By the 1920s, downtown SugarHouse was born. The area, located around 2100 South and 1100 East, became the hub for retail in the southern part of Salt Lake City. Though too small to compete with downtown Salt Lake, it added a shopping expierence of its own. By the late 50s, SugarHouse had become Salt Lake City's second downtown. Shops lined the streets, and people packed the sidewalks.

Today SugarHouse has changed A LOT. It's known by the local population as the nutty part of Salt Lake City because it's a liberal mecca. Most of the shops today cater toward the liberal population of this neighborhood - as well as the very large gay population. Since SugarHouse is only a few miles south of the University of Utah and Westminster College - a liberal arts college - is located within the neighborhood; the population tends to be 20 something. My house happens to be about 1 mile from the core of SugarHouse.

Today I went out and snapped some photos. I was SO surprised to see SO many people out and about for it being Sunday. Albeit, most were in cars, and a lot of the shops were closed. But it was nice to see.

Anyway, enough spew - now the photos!

A bar next to what used to be a tattoo parlor.

1100 East shops.

The Commons at SugarHouse (photos at the end of the thread) was built in the later part of the 1990s during the SugarHouse revival. From 1980 to about 1994 SugarHouse became VERY run down, with about 70% of its buildings vacant. 10 years later and it's SLC's hotspot.

A historic building now turned into a furnishing store.

SugarHouse's branch of the Salt Lake City Library System.

Inching CLOSER to the core of SugarHouse. More shops on 1100 East (Highland Drive).

Entrance to the Sprague Library.

SugarHouse Bus Stop - with a homeless man sittin by a building. One of the next light-rail spurs will come up around this area.

SugarHouse core - busy, busy.

2100 South shops.

2 story Barnes & Noble.

More shops.

Granite Furniture sign.

Social club.

More shops.

Newest building to grace downtown SugarHouse. It finished construction a few months ago.

Even more 2100 South.

Looking up 2100 South. Normally would be filled with people - but it's Sunday.

Street sign for SugarHouse.

Mexican and Korean food...hm

Kung Jou Cafe!

The only high-rise apartment building in SugarHouse.

Even the Golden Arch's find their way to SugarHouse.

Now we move to some residential neighborhoods.

A lot of bungalow type homes here.

SugarHouse Laundry.

Post Office.

New Age store.

More shops.

Bet you didn't know SugarHouse had a Scientology temple!

Apartment through the trees.

SugarHouse still has vacant buildings. But not quite near as many as they had 10 years ago.

1100 East again.

Backs of some apartments.

Lookin down 1100 East.

B&N

Looking up 2100 South.

Now to the Commons. Lookin at some of its buildings. The Wasatch Mountains as the backdrop.

Looking north-east.

Not sure what this is.

Relaxin on a bench.

More buildings.

Even more.

Comcast Building.

More.

The blue building.

Finally, SugarHouse's tallest office towers. The one on the left finished construction last year. The blue one was built in the 1980s. Not seen is the Redman Tower, which is about the same height. That is being rebuilt to a 9 story tower/condo.

I'm tired. You tired? Yes? Lets rest!

[M II A II R II K]

They are great pix! Caribbean nights in Salt Lake, didn't think they'd have it!

[Allan]

Great pics! Thanks for the tour, Sean!

[M. Brown]

Nice Pics.

[monsoon]

[Scott]

Excellent stuff! Seems like a really cool neighborhood with some world class views! The mountains are unbelievable! Another fantastic thread Sean!