Utah’s new tallest building reaches full height

Photo: A rendering of the completed Astra Tower, the new tallest building in Utah. Photo: HKS

Investor is based in Park City

SALT LAKE CITY – The Astra Tower, a luxurious high-rise spanning 41 stories in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, achieved its maximum height and concluded the structural steel construction phase when the last steel beam was positioned on Thursday, Oct. 12 — making it the tallest building in Utah.

The Astra Tower now stands over 450 feet tall, redefining Salt Lake City’s skyline. The new building has been steadily rising since the first above-grade concrete was poured in early 2023, rising on average a full story every seven days.

Nearly 600 people, many of them the construction workers on the project, gathered at the construction site to celebrate the completion of structural work on the new tower, signing their names on the final steel beam before a crane set it into place atop the 41st floor.

Attendees also heard remarks from Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and project leaders regarding the progress on the Astra Tower.

“Salt Lake City’s growing skyline is a testament to the excitement and vitality surrounding our urban core right now,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.

“Astra Tower will serve as a hub of activity downtown, creating an opportunity for its residents to enjoy all we have to offer. As it takes its place as the tallest building ever built in Utah, I also believe it’s representative of our bright future ahead.”

The Astra Tower’s upscale residences will feature various layouts, including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, as well as two levels of exclusive penthouse suites.

The new residential tower will also offer a range of amenities, such as an urban outdoor park, a clubhouse complete with a chef’s kitchen, a work lounge featuring conference rooms, a fully equipped fitness center with a versatile studio, an outdoor pool and terrace, a spa and wellness center, and a spacious rooftop terrace on the 41st floor.

The project has had on average 365 builders working on the tower per day, with a majority of the construction crews being Utah-based. The project has been headed by Jacobsen Construction with more than 45 subcontractors and vendors contributing to the project, working to carry out the intricate design specifications planned by global design firm HKS.

With the structural steelwork phase completed, the Astra Tower project shifts its attention to the installation of utility systems as well as the interior and exterior finishing. Upon its full completion in the Fall of 2024, Astra Tower will introduce 377 luxury apartments to the address at 89 E. 200 South.

“The Astra Tower isn’t just another construction project,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “It’s a testament to Jacobsen Construction, Kensington Investment Company, and Salt Lake County’s commitment to driving economic growth, fostering cultural enrichment and designing forward-looking communities.”

The 0.69-acre downtown lot Astra Tower sits on was purchased by the Kensington Investment Company in 2018, a real estate and investment company with its Utah office based in Park City. KIC began conducting market studies which indicated a significant need for apartment units in the Salt Lake City area, which ultimately led to the development of the Astra Tower.

“Salt Lake City is quickly becoming a global city, and Astra Tower is leading the way,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of Kensington Investment Company. “The city’s pro-business climate is attracting talent from across the world, creating demand for best-in-class luxury residences downtown. The Astra Tower project is a testament to Salt Lake becoming a cultural melting pot where people want to live, work and play, and it is taking the city to the next level.”