We’ve been in Salt Lake for decades, and we’re here to stay. We’ve witnessed the significant growth of the downtown core, the introduction of light rail in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics and the recent redevelopment of Sugar House that involves a streetcar helping to re-connect walkable neighborhoods. We love the Salt Lake City community, from the coffee connoisseurs of downtown to those scaling rock faces in Big Cottonwood. Salt Lake is what it is because of the people who have devoted their time, energy, resources and hearts to making it their home since 1847.

In the past four years we’ve been lucky enough to work with passionate business owners, supporting the revitalization of urban neighborhoods from central 9th (Publik) to Rose Park (Red Iguana). With each project we feel a responsibility to add value to the community and create spaces for people to enjoy. That’s why we’ve partnered with evo, an outdoor retailing company, to bring a new place for Salt Lake’s diverse community. Coming in the fall of 2021, the evo Granary campus will provide a gathering place for locals and travelers alike. What evo began in Seattle has expanded into Portland, Denver and Whistler, and they’re just getting started. The evo team is committed to their goal of knowing and giving back to each community they settle in. In Salt Lake, the evo space will include the Bouldering Project, All Together Skatepark and a re-configured Level 9 Sports. This will be the Bouldering Project’s first gym in Utah, adding to their existing locations in Seattle, Minneapolis and Austin.

The evo Granary campus will encompass four connected historical structures at 404 West 700 South. The original buildings were constructed in 1891 with additions in 1911 and 1917. Originally, the structure was created as a load-bearing masonry building housing trolley repair shops and the Salt Lake Rapid Transit Complex—one of the first of two electrified trolley systems in the state of Utah beginning in 1889. It also served as the headquarters for the J.I. Case Company (whose slogan was “Tractors, Threshers, Bailers, Silo Filters, Any Implement for the Farm”) in the 1920s, as well as the Inland Wool company who dealt in wool, furs and pelts during the 1940s and 50s. One of our team members, London Holmgren, has been working on the historic tax credit application for the property and documenting the history of the building. His research illustrates the variety of uses this building has had over the years as the industries of the city have evolved.

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Though the market demand for furs and pelts in Utah has significantly decreased, the outdoor industry continues to expand. Salt Lake has become a booming tourist destination for those who like to ski at several resorts in one day, not to mention all the other outdoor sports thriving in our mountains year round. Less than an hour from ten ski resorts, the new evo Campus will feature lodging, accomodations and gear outfitting for outdoor adventures, as well as spaces for those who prefer their recreation indoors.

“Our vision is to create a place for the community, bringing ethos-driven businesses together along with customers that share our passion for the outdoors and all of the cultural elements that surround the lifestyle,” said Bryce Phillips, Founder and CEO of evo. In keeping with that vision, the evo Granary campus will include a bouldering gym for climbers of all levels, as well as fitness and training spaces and a full-sized skatepark, all working in harmony with mixed-use retail and lodging. As Phillips puts it, evo creates “a seamless experience, celebrating the intersection of our shared love of the outdoors and urban environment.” Sounds like a perfect match for the urban, outdoorsy Salt Lake City we know and love.

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See more of our adaptive reuse projects: Campos Coffee, Publik, 6th & 6th