Sunday Drives: Salt Lake City's Coolest Modern Buildings

Homeworks Property Lab
May 21
3 min read

Home to an ever-evolving architectural landscape, Salt Lake City is no stranger to striking design. From classic mid-century homes and historic buildings to crispy, modern structures, we have a bit of everything to reflect our growth over the years. For the purposes of this story, we're seeing some clean lines, bold materials, and thoughtful innovation shape a new skyline—one that's both functional and aesthetically appealing in all the best ways.

Minimalist marvels. Glass-and-steel statements. These are the modern buildings in Salt Lake City that will make you look twice.

We decided to take a drive to explore and shoot some of this eye-catching modern architecture. We love being stopped in our tracks with something undeniably cool. Don't you?

Federal Courthouse, 51 S. West Temple

Year Built/Architect: 2014, Thomas Phifer and Partners

Notable details: This striking, cube-shaped structure stands out with its sleek, all-glass façade and rhythmic aluminum fins that reflect shifting daylight. The building is a study in transparency and restraint—an intentionally neutral design that aims to express openness and fairness. Inside, natural light floods the 10-story atrium, while carefully curated public art adds warmth and visual interest.

Modern glass and metal building under clear blue sky. Trees line the street with parked cars. Urban setting with skyscrapers in the background.

Modern building with vertical glass panels, reflecting blue sky. Green lawn in foreground and trees on the right. Calm urban setting.

Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple

Year Built/Architect: 1976-79, FFKR Architects

Notable details: Home to the Utah Symphony, Abravanel Hall is a refined example of modernist architecture with a minimalist sensibility. The building’s exterior of brick, concrete and glass, alongside its geometric form, make for an elegant and surprisingly bold presence across from Temple Square. Inside, the concert hall is acoustically impeccable, and a massive glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly adds a punch of wild red.

Modern building with large glass windows reflecting the city. Visible text: Maurice Abravanel Hall. Lush green trees and plants surround.

Modern building of Maurice Abravanel Hall with reflective glass facade. Trees and signs for concerts in front, clear sky above.

Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way

Year Built/Architect: 2011, Ennead Architects

Notable details: Nestled into the foothills above the University of Utah, this LEED-certified museum is as much a part of the landscape as the artifacts it houses. Its layered copper-clad façade is designed to echo the stratified rock formations of nearby canyons, while floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley. Venture inside, and you'll find an organic flow between exhibits.

Modern building with angular brown roof set against a mountain backdrop. Greenery surrounds it. Sign reads Natural History Museum of Utah.

Modern building with a brown roof and concrete walls, people walking outside. Snow-capped mountains and blue sky in the background. Calm mood.

The Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main St.

Year Built/Architect: 2016, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects + HKS Architects

Notable details: Sleek and sophisticated, the Eccles Theater is a state-of-the-art performance venue that anchors downtown SLC's cultural core. A glass-enclosed lobby and sweeping grand staircase make the space feel both expansive and intimate. Inside, the main hall (the Delta Performance Hall) seats over 2,400 and is acoustically tuned for everything from Broadway tours to local music shows.

Modern building with large windows, labeled George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater. Bright, sunny day with trees and city background.

Modern theater building with glass facade, trees, and cars on the street. Bright, sunny day with a blue sky. Sign reads "Eccles Theater".

The Leonardo, 209 E. 500 S.

Year Built/Architect: 1964, EDA Architects

Notable details: Housed in the former Salt Lake City Library building, The Leonardo blends historic, mid-century bones with cube-style form and pre-cast concrete. Its mission today—merging art, science, and technology—is reflected in interactive exhibits and flexible gallery spaces. The updated structure maintains elements of its embraces a modern, open-floor plan that's ideal for creative exploration.

A historic clock tower rises behind trees near a modern building with abstract wall art. Clear sky, green foliage, and a lamppost in view.

Gray building with textured facade, large windows, pine tree on right, clear blue sky above.

Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E. 400 S.

Year Built/Architect: 2003, Moshe Safdie and Associates

Notable details: A local favorite and architectural standout, the Salt Lake City Public Library is both a hub for learning and a sculptural statement. Its five-story glass wall curves dramatically around a central plaza, and a rooftop garden offers unstoppable mountain views. Inside, the light-filled atrium and warm wood finishes make this space as inviting as it is iconic. Bonus: as of this month, the rooftop terrace has been updated and is open for bees-ness (look it up).

Modern building with large windows surrounded by green lawns and purple-flowering trees under a clear blue sky. Urban setting in the background.

Modern urban scene with glass and concrete buildings under a blue sky. Reflections on windows and a streetlamp in the foreground.

Governor’s Plaza, 560 E. South Temple

Year Built/Architect: 1983, Ralph Arnold Edwards

Notable details: This residential high-rise stands out among South Temple’s historic mansions with its clean lines, concrete-and-glass façade, and symmetrical design. Set back from the street with private gardens and terraces, Governor’s Plaza lends a bit of luxury with sweeping city views in one of our most established neighborhoods.

Modern office building with trees and colorful flowerbeds in front. American flag on a pole. Bright, sunny day; peaceful setting.

Modern building with beige exterior, large windows, and an American flag. Lush garden with green trees, colorful flowers, and vibrant greenery.

LDS Church Conference Center, 60 N. Temple

Year Built/Architect: 2000, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership

Notable details: One of the largest religious auditoriums in the world, the Conference Center reinterprets monumental architecture with modern restraint. Its granite exterior reflects the materials of Temple Square, while the 21,000-seat auditorium inside is designed to be open, bright, and reverent. A rooftop garden and waterfall integrate the building into its natural surroundings, offering unexpected calm just steps from the city’s busiest blocks.