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| Conference Center (Salt Lake City) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Salt Lake City Conference Center |
| Map type | Utah |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Address | 60 North Temple |
| Status | Complete |
| Groundbreaking | 1997 |
| Completion date | 2000 |
| Opened | April 2000 |
| Owner | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Height | 210 ft |
| Floor area | 1,940,000 sq ft |
| Architect | Fentress Architects |
| Main contractor | Hunt Construction Group |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti |
| Style | Modern |
Conference Center (Salt Lake City) is a large meeting facility located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Opened in 2000, it was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to host general conferences and large assemblies for church leadership, cultural performances, and civic events. The building is notable for its scale, acoustics, and integration with surrounding landmarks such as the Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle (Salt Lake City), and Temple Square.
The project originated in the 1990s under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley and senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, responding to the need for a larger venue than the Salt Lake Tabernacle for semiannual gatherings and broadcasts. Groundbreaking involved contractors including Hunt Construction Group and consultants such as AECOM and Thornton Tomasetti. During planning, stakeholders consulted with firms like Fentress Architects and preservationists concerned with Temple Square's historic landscape, which includes the Beehive House and Lion House. The center opened in April 2000 with ceremonies attended by leaders from the church and civic officials from Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County.
Following its opening, the building hosted sessions of the church’s General Conference, performances by ensembles including the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and touring groups such as the New York Philharmonic, and civic events involving the Utah Symphony and Ballet West. The center has undergone technological upgrades partnering with companies like Sony Corporation, Bose Corporation, and broadcast organizations including PBS and KSL-TV to improve audio-visual and streaming capabilities.
Designed with input from Fentress Architects, the center exhibits modern principles while respecting the historic context of Temple Square and neighboring structures like the Salt Lake Temple and Assembly Hall (Salt Lake City). Exterior materials include Tennessee sandstone and glass, drawing comparisons to civic buildings by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and contemporary projects by firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for their monumental civic scale. The roof features a planted green roof aligning with landscapes similar to designs by Olmsted Brothers in its treatment of urban greenery.
Interior design emphasizes sightlines and acoustics, developed in collaboration with acoustic consultants who have worked with venues such as Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The auditorium's fan-shaped configuration and acoustic reflectors echo solutions used by Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House to balance proximity and sound diffusion. Materials and finishes reference regional motifs found in Utah State Capitol interiors.
The main auditorium seats approximately 21,000, larger than venues like Madison Square Garden in single-space seating for assemblies, and includes choir lofts designed for ensembles such as the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Backstage facilities accommodate large-scale productions similar to those at Metropolitan Opera House and include rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, and technical shops. Auxiliary meeting rooms, banquet halls, and broadcast studios support conventions, performances, and media operations akin to facilities at Moscone Center and McCormick Place.
Mechanical systems and rigging were engineered to standards used for major venues including Lincoln Center and Royal Festival Hall. The building incorporates a large pipe organ comparable in concept to instruments installed in venues like Salt Lake Tabernacle and houses sound systems from suppliers used by Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall productions.
Primary programming centers on the semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, drawing participants from international offices such as those in Salt Lake City, London, Mexico City, and Sydney. The center also presents cultural events including concerts by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, productions with Ballet West, and collaborations with the Utah Symphony. It has hosted national and international speakers, charitable galas, and civic events involving entities like United Way and Utah Humanities.
Touring artists and ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and contemporary performers have used the space for special events. Broadcasting organizations, including PBS and major networks like ABC and NBC, have transmitted events live regionally and globally.
Located adjacent to Temple Square and near Salt Lake City International Airport, the center is accessible via regional transit including TRAX (Utah Transit Authority) light rail and Utah Transit Authority bus lines. Pedestrian access connects to downtown Salt Lake City landmarks such as Main Street Square and the Salt Palace Convention Center. Parking and vehicular access follow city plans coordinated with Salt Lake County and municipal agencies; ride-sharing services and shuttle operations serve large events similarly to practices around Madison Square Garden and Staples Center.
The facility complies with accessibility standards used in public assembly venues and coordinates with organizations such as Utah State Board of Education for outreach programs, and with disability advocacy groups comparable to National Federation of the Blind for accommodations.
The center is integral to the identity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a focal point for leadership addresses, music ministry by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and cultural events like Christmas productions that attract tourists from Salt Lake City and international visitors to Temple Square. Its proximity to the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle (Salt Lake City) situates it within a complex that includes historic residences like the Beehive House and institutions such as the Church History Museum (Salt Lake City), reinforcing its role in religious observance, heritage tourism, and civic life.
Category:Buildings and structures in Salt Lake City Category:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints