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SALT LAKE CITY — Construction crews placed the final beam atop the 41-floor Astra Tower luxury high-rise on Thursday, Oct. 12, marking the completion of structural steel work on Utah’s new tallest building.
The downtown Salt Lake City tower has been steadily rising since the first above-grade concrete was poured in early 2023, rising a full level every seven days, on average. Astra Tower now stands over 450 tall and re-defines Salt Lake’s urban skyline.
Approximately 600 people, most of them construction workers on the project, gathered together to sign their names to the final steel beam before a crane set it into place atop the 41st floor. Attendees heard remarks from Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and project leaders, before celebrating with a jobsite-wide barbecue to honor the achievements of the many construction teams onsite.
“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.”
Now that the structural steel work is done, the focus of the Astra Tower project now turns to utilities systems and interior and exterior finishes. When Astra Tower is fully completed in the Fall of 2024, it will add 377 luxury apartments to 89 E. 200 South.
“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 Park City-based developer behind the project. “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.”
In a show of strength for Utah’s busy construction industry, 365 builders, on average, have been on the jobsite every day during 2023 while the high-rise has progressed upward. Led by general contractor Jacobsen Construction, more than 45 subcontractors and vendors have contributed to the project so far, working together to carry out intricate design specifications planned by global design firm HKS.
“With the structural elements of Astra Tower now fully in place, it’s clearer than ever to anyone who works, visits or lives downtown that this high-rise is a true game-changer for Salt Lake City,” said Senior Project Manager Doug Carley, who oversees all work on the jobsite for Jacobsen.
The large majority of construction teams at Astra Tower are Utah-based, making the project a fresh showcase of Utah builders’ growing capacity to complete complex high-rise work at taller-than-ever heights. This locally based and specially qualified workforce guided Astra Tower to a rapid ascension from ground level, despite the many logistical complexities of operating on a jobsite with a tight downtown footprint.
“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.”
Astra Tower’s luxury residences will include studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floorplans, and two levels of exclusive penthouse units. Amenities at Astra Tower will include an outdoor urban park, a clubhouse with chef kitchen, a work lounge with conference rooms, a full-service fitness center with a multipurpose studio, an outdoor pool and terrace, a spa and wellness center and a large 41st floor rooftop terrace.
“Astra Tower will revolutionize urban living in Salt Lake City by creating a unique, sustainable and urban community,” said Emir Tursic HKS Principal and Architect. “Residents will receive extensive indoor and outdoor amenities while being within walking distance of the best experiences the city has to offer.”
The Astra Tower project team is seeking LEED Gold certification by building according to strict sustainability standards that minimize carbon footprint and address pressing environmental issues specific to northern Utah, particularly air quality and water conservation.
“We’re building for the future, not just for right now,” said Shane Rensmon, president of real estate development at Kensington Investment Company. “Knowing that water shortages and air quality are challenges here, we want to help the natural environment surrounding Astra Tower rather than burdening it.”
For more information about Astra Tower, visit www.AstraSLC.com.
