More than 30,000 square feet of Class A office space will be under construction in 2026 at The Point in Draper as the development begins to become visible with above-the-ground construction. The buildings will be located along The Promenade, the project’s central pedestrian avenue. (Concept art courtesy Point of the Mountain State Land Authority)
It’s been more than 10 years since the name “The Point” was first applied to the nearly 600 acres in the southern end of Salt Lake County where the aging Utah State Prison would make way for a major planned community and innovation hub. Officials say this will be the year when the development will start to rise from the ground.
Since the prison’s relocation began in 2022 following the construction of a new facility near Salt Lake City International Airport, a lot of organization, planning and ground-level infrastructure placement has taken place at The Point in Draper. But folks couldn’t see much happening because the construction that has taken place is mostly underground or at street level.
That’s all about to change.
“Now, following years of thoughtful planning and rapid infrastructure development over the past 14 months, The Point is poised to transition to vertical construction, delivering on the vision established by the Legislature, the board and tens of thousands of Utahns,” the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (POMSLA), the successor to the Point of the Mountain Development Commission that the Legislature created in 2015, said in a recent statement. “Throughout 2026, foundations will be excavated and poured, streets paved and public spaces begin to take shape. The Point is moving from preparation to delivery and is well positioned to advance the next chapter of this generational project for the benefit of all Utahns.”
Over the signatures of POMSLA co-chairs V. Lowry Snow and Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, a statement said that since 2018, the board and staff have diligently worked to fulfill the Legislature’s mandate to plan, manage and implement the development of state land at the Point of the Mountain. They said the mandate includes “guiding strategic residential and commercial growth, maximizing the creation of high-quality jobs, supporting a highly trained workforce, facilitating vibrant urban centers and housing options aligned with workforce needs, and creating parks, connected trails, open space and recreational opportunities, among other priorities.”
Drainage pipe was installed at The Point in Draper in 2025 as the project completed major infrastructure installation, including utilities, roads and site preparation. (Photo courtesy Point of the Mountain State Land Authority)
Snow and Teuscher quoted a study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah that found the state’s investment in The Point is expected to support the creation of approximately 46,458 jobs and generate more than $7 billion in GDP by 2048.
With earthwork, site preparation, utilities and streets partially completed in the past year, The Point expects to see a number of buildings get underway in 2026.
“Foundations will be poured, streets and utilities finalized and the first vertical buildings will rise from the site,” The Point’s release said. “This phase of active construction signals continued momentum toward a new center of community, innovation and opportunity.”
Among projects expected to see construction this year are:
• A 5,000-seat entertainment venue. The POMSLA expects the arena to play a central role in bringing the site to life early in the development. Designed as a flexible, multi-use facility, it will host live touring acts, corporate gatherings, conferences and large community events, including sports tournaments. With adaptable seating, modern production capabilities and integrated amenities, the venue is positioned to attract regional and national programming, the board said.
• The Point Promenade. More than 5,500 linear feet of walkable streets and plazas will shape the downtown core of The Point. Lined with trees, public art, active storefronts, outdoor dining areas and social gathering spaces, the project expects The Promenade to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment that remains active throughout the day and into the evening. Current leasing interest features a mix of notable retailers and popular food and beverage concepts.
• Office and professional space. Over 30,000 square feet of Class A office space is planned to rise in 2026, marking one of the first opportunities for employers to locate at The Point. Situated prominently along The Promenade, this workspace will feature high-quality design, walkable access to dining and retail and proximity to public spaces that support collaboration and employee well-being. Officials said the project is already attracting interest from a diverse mix of industries, including technology, financial services, biotechnology and education.
• Multifamily housing. Several apartment and condominium projects are expected to be announced, with construction beginning this year.
The origins of The Point trace back to 2014, when Utah lawmakers began evaluating the relocation of crumbling Utah State Prison to make room for higher-value land use in the fast-growing Silicon Slopes region. In 2015, the Utah Legislature passed HB454, which authorized the relocation of the prison and created the Point of the Mountain Development Commission to guide planning for the area’s future. In 2018, HB372 established the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, charged with overseeing the redevelopment and ensuring that the project serves long-term public interests in sustainability, innovation, transportation and quality of life.
Planning accelerated after the prison’s relocation began in 2022 and the old facility was razed. The Utah Legislature and private investors have engaged in a phased approach to infrastructure and land preparation, with early investments focusing on roads, transit connectivity and environmental cleanup. Public-private partnerships are central to the project’s financing, aiming to attract technology firms, life sciences companies and sustainable urban innovation. Full buildout is expected to unfold over several decades.
As Gov. Spencer Cox said about the project at a December 2024 groundbreaking event at The Point, “It’s unlike anything else happening in the country.”
Now Utah’s residents will begin to notice that it really is happening.