VanTrust Real Estate, a Kansas City-based commercial real estate and development company, has purchased the historic Salt Lake Lumber building on 400 West in downtown Salt Lake City. The firm plans to transform the turn-of-the-century building into leasable contemporary office space as well as its own regional headquarters. VanTrust hopes to start demolition and interior renovation this summer and have it completed for occupancy in early 2025.
The three-story, 26,997-square-foot brick building was built in 1909 and features exposed heavy timber, exposed brick and stone walls, maple flooring, a wood staircase, exposed wood ceilings and brick arches around its windows.
“The Salt Lake Lumber building has history, authenticity and an amazing story,” said Chris McCluskey, VanTrust’s executive vice president of development for Salt Lake City. “With contemporary design updates mixed with its historical features, it will be a special place that inspires creativity and productivity. Simply put, it will be a great place to work.”
The Salt Lake Lumber building was originally built as the Morrison-Merrill Lumber Co. office. Morrison-Merrill was a major regional supplier of wood products.