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A unique development is another step closer to becoming a reality near the Point of the Mountain. Today the Utah developer unveiled his vision of what the $2 billion project will look like.
The new project will be called simply "The Point." The developer, Brandt Andersen, said, "We're naming the development "The Point," and the reason we are naming it "The Point" is to keep true to the Point of the Mountain, that we're here in the shadow of, but also because as we reviewed these different names and these elaborate crazy names, we felt like the emphasis should be on the architecture."
Andersen hopes it will become the point of focus in Utah for shopping, entertainment and architecture. Andersen has been working with world-renowned architect Frank Gehry on the project for two years now.
"There's been a lot of stuff around here that I wouldn't call great architecture at this point, but I think if we do something special, other people might step up to the plate and it might up the ante," Gehry said.
Gehry now envisions a 450-foot tall hotel, an arena, which will be home to Andersen's NBA Development League team, the Utah Flash, as well as shopping and housing.
"It shows some details on several buildings at the site as well as an updated design of what we intend for the master plan. So we've changed the way that it looks and added some detail to the architecture at the site," Andersen said.
Gehry says his team of architects has tried to find a design that will complement Utah's landscape. "It won't be dismissive, it won't be insulting, it will be carefully worked. So it has its own character and is something new and a new way of looking at this region, the architecture of this region. It won't copy architecture of the region," he said.
Andersen is ready to move forward but acknowledges the tough economy is holding up funding for construction. He said, "To this point, I've funded everything myself, so I believe 100 percent in the project and more now than I ever did, but it's difficult with the timing being what it is."
Andersen hopes to see construction work going on sometime in 2009.
Tonight from 6 until 8, you can see the models of the development during an open house at the Flash Factory in Lehi. Andersen and Gehry will also be available there to talk about the project.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
