SALT LAKE CITY — Demolition of two downtown buildings began Tuesday to make way for the New Performing Arts Center.
Bennion Jewelers, 100 S. Main Street, and a neighboring building are being knocked down to allow for the construction of the 2,500-seat theater.
It will be a Broadway style theater, which will be a great thing for the Salt Lake community, said Nick Como, communication director for the Downtown Alliance.
Como said the theater will provide opportunities to attract larger productions and activate Regent Street.
The city currently has the historic Capitol Theatre, located at 50 W. 200 South. Built in 1913, the theater was recently renovated to 1,876 seats.
“Capitol Theatre is beautiful, it’s just a different type of facility,” Como said.
Como expects to break ground on the new building sometime this year. Completion is tentatively expected in 2016.
The new theater will also have smaller areas for black box theaters for the community.
The New Performing Arts Center was part of the Downtown Rising vision created in 2006. Cost of the facility is approximately $114 million.
For more information on the New Performing Arts Center visit website newperformingartscenter.org.
