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SALT LAKE CITY — Five years ago, downtown Salt Lake City celebrated the arrival of spring with the much-anticipated opening of the most expensive multiuse development project in the state's history — City Creek Center Today, it stands as one of the signature destinations and economic catalysts in the central business district.
"We are thrilled about City Creek Center’s first five years. Locals, tourists and our loyal downtown office workers have contributed to our retailers’ success, and we are grateful," said general manager Linda Wardell. "It’s hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly and that approximately 76 million visits have been made to City Creek Center, helping us exceed our expectations for traffic and sales."
She said City Creek Center has thus far fulfilled its promise of being a catalyst for economic development in downtown Salt Lake City, with residential living, office space, hotel rooms, the Eccles Theater and restaurants opening nearby and more in development.
Since opening on March 22, 2012, the $1.5 billion commercial and residential project has led the downtown revitalization effort that has included the construction of 222 Main Street and 111 Main Street office buildings, the Broadway-style theater, and numerous other commercial and residential projects spread throughout the central business district and nearby locales.
Wardell noted that despite all of the success, one challenge the development is working to overcome is that some people along the Wasatch Front have shied away from visiting City Creek Center due to misperceptions about the retail experience.
"These are people who may not understand that City Creek Center is not a 'mall,'" she said. "It is a place to start your downtown experience with shopping and dining that can only be found at City Creek."
She said City Creek Center has evolved in its first five years and it will continue to evolve in the years to come.
"Consumers lead the evolution of any successful and dynamic retail project (and) today, both food and technology are important drivers of consumer behavior," she said. "At City Creek Center, we look forward to continuing to bring new unique retail concepts and brands to Utah and helping customers experience them in new ways."
