One of our oldest neighborhoods, Sugar House is a highly sought-after area for those who value a little history and a lot of convenience. Established in 1853, just a handful of years after pioneers settled the valley, the area quickly became home to a thriving business district of coal companies, timber distributors, and furniture stores (so much so, actually, that it reportedly was referred to as the “Furniture Capital of the West” in the 50s and 60s).
Officially occupying the area from 500 E. to Foothill Drive and 1300 S. to about 3000 S., Sugar House used to be known for its focus on local businesses (the community council mostly shunned big box stores). However, over the years, development and zoning changes have seen a decided shift, and the area is now home to plenty of larger retail options. That said, residents here can also still find plenty of local shops and restaurants, making for a “best of both worlds” kind of vibe.
Sugar House Neighborhoods & Local Businesses
With a population of right around 40,000 and plenty of great local business to patronize (Dodo, Best Friends Animal Society, Pib’s Exchange, Sugar House Coffee, The Neighborhood Hive Market, Wasatch Brew Pub, and Sugar House Distillery, among many others), residents here will find themselves entrenched in a bustling and friendly community. The area was named for its potential to manufacture sugar, an expensive commodity in the mid-1800s: pioneers planted sugar beets and a mill was constructed with high hopes, but refining/production proved more difficult than expected, and it was ultimately torn down in the late 20s. In 1930, the Sugar House monument was erected in its place to commemorate the now-bustling and successful area that had grown, even as efforts to produce sugar failed. The neighborhood was also home to Sugar House Prison (Utah’s first state prison), which housed between 300 and 500 prisoners. In the 1950s, however, it was decided that the facility would be moved to Draper, and the land on which it sat for nearly 100 years was converted to Highland High School and our city’s beloved Sugar House Park. Today, the S-Line—a two-mile streetcar service in a historic rail corridor—runs from roughly 1100 East down to TRAX at 200 West and connects the Sugar House business district with South Salt Lake. Running alongside a bike and pedestrian greenway (with connections to the Parley’s Trail system), the line could see extensions to the east, thanks to increasing ridership.
Sugar House Home Prices
As with many other areas of SLC, Sugar House is brimming with bungalows of all shapes and sizes. Streets here are largely tree-lined, and it’s a popular area for young families and students (Westminster University, here since 1911 and occupying 27 acres of land, houses thousands of scholars and some beautiful historic buildings). The median home price in Sugar House is currently hovering somewhere around $675k, though properties on the smaller side, condos, and those that require more substantial updates can still be found in the $400s. In certain pockets of Sugar House, however—properties near the Country Club or just east of Highland High, for example—larger properties will probably run closer to $750k and up (sometimes as high as $2M).
Looking for a Home in Sugar House?
If you’re interested in buying a home in the Sugar House neighborhoods, our team of experienced agents is here to help. We can guide you through the process of finding your dream home and negotiating the best price and terms. Contact us anytime to chat...we're happy to answer any questions.
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