Unexpected Findings Set Groundwork for New Community in the Brickyard

Construction Uncovers Part of Salt Lake City’s Past

In 2006, Salt Lake City-based developer, The Ritchie Group, purchased the Brickyard Office Tower, a seven-story, 100,000 SF office building located in the historical Brickyard neighborhood of southeast Salt Lake City. In 2011, as the partners were studying some scheduled maintenance to the on site parking garage, a better use for the entire site dawned on them. Already actively engaged in several multifamily site acquisitions, the Ritchie Group determined that the east bench location of the Brickyard area was ideal for multifamily housing.

A commemorative plaque of Interstate Brick Company at the base of the Smith Kiln Chimney at 1178 East Brickyard Road

“We had been looking all over the valley for a good multifamily site,” said Ryan Ritchie, partner at The Ritchie Group. “We had a few irons in the fire but nothing concrete. As we considered the maintenance and repairs required for the parking garage, we realized that a shared use between office and multifamily would be the quintessential home run for a mixed-use development. We were excited to learn that the site was already zoned for high density multifamily and that a mixed-use project was very much in line with what the city wanted to see constructed in the Brickyard area. It was a nice surprise.”

Rendering of Element 31 at Brickyard

“The excavators found remnants of a few foundation walls, kilns, tunnels, and thousands of bricks from the predecessor of Interstate Brick Company, which relocated in the early 1980’s to its current location in the southwest Salt Lake Valley” Ritchie said. “It was pretty interesting to unearth a part of Salt Lake City’s history. We would have loved to preserve some of those kilns but they were literally falling apart with the touch of the track hoe’s shovel. The new project will include about 40,000 new bricks, cooked in the Interstate kilns, to give it a touch of nostalgia.”

Since its days as the largest brick producer in the West, the Brickyard has become one of Salt Lake City’s most active retail and office developments. The new community, Element 31 at Brickyard, will add 208 luxury apartments.

Aerial photo of construction on Element 31 at Brickyard

Rimrock began construction on the project in late 2013 with demolition of the parking structure, and excavators soon discovered even more surprises—thousands of them.

“Our goal for this community is to have our residents feel like they’re living at a resort,” said Ritchie. “The area is already thriving but we felt we could add a little more vibrancy by providing resort-like finishes and amenities that aren’t common in Salt Lake City.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

When complete, Element 31 at Brickyard amenities will include:

• Rooftop deck with fire pits and grow boxes
• Fitness center with rooms for cardio, strength training, yoga, and kickboxing and access to over 200 fitness-on-request training videos from a dropdown screen
• Contemporary, Myrtha-pool and jacuzzi, sundeck, and chaise lounges
• Clubhouse gaming wall with dual 50-inch screens and consoles and a separate room with a 100-inch screen for movies
• Ground-level dog park, dog run, and dog washing station
• Gourmet clubhouse kitchen
• Clubhouse billiards
• 100 percent covered parking and security controlled access

When complete, Element 31 at Brickyard finishes will include:

• Modern plumbing and lighting fixtures
• Contemporary European box cabinets with stainless steel pulls
• White and grey granite and quartz countertops
• Stainless steel appliances

For more information please contact:
Ryan Ritchie at info@element31apts.com
Mark Mathews at mm@rimrock.us