After their latest renovation plans were denied by City Hall, Park City's Kimball Art Center has listed their current building for only $8 million. A landmark since 1976, the KAC wanted to add 15,000 square feet and an interior renovation to mark the Utah ski town as "an emerging national arts destination." Way back in 2012, the famed Danish architect Bjarke Ingels (BIG) unveiled a massive 76-foot tall log cabin design that twisted into the Park City skyline and towered above town. After "the public" disliked the height of the timber structure, BIG went on to their next design: a (boring?) 46-foot modern slanted concrete structure some characterized as a snow plow. With the snow plow denied by City Hall, the Kimball Art Center decided to forego appeal, sell their current space, and move.
At $8 million, the Kimball Art Center building is a steal of a deal. It's one of downtown Park City's most desirable locations, at the high-traffic intersection of Main Street and Heber Avenue in Old Town and a stone's throw from Park City Mountain Resort's Town Lift.
The building also boasts 12,647 square feet, a patio, and 133 feet of Main Street frontage. According to the Park Record, buyers are lining up for the chance to develop the property and rumors are building that there will be a bidding war.
The only drawback? As the Kimball Art Center learned the hard way, redeveloping buildings in Park City's historic district can be difficult. But in the high-risk, high-reward world of commercial real estate development, we're sure someone will be up for the challenge.
· Kimball Art Center listed at 'easily supportable' $8 million [Park Record]
· Bidding war could break out for Kimball Art Center [Park Record]
· Denial of BIG Design Forces Kimball Art Center to New Location [Curbed Ski]
· Bjarke Ingels's Art Center Not Historic Enough for Park City [Curbed Ski]
· Sloping Concrete or Twisty Timber: Which Works in Park City? [Curbed Ski]
· Kimball Art Center's Revamped Design Plans Revealed [Curbed Ski]
· The 18 Best Hot Spots for Park City Eating & Drinking, Feb '14 [Curbed Ski]
· All Kimball Art Center Coverage [Curbed Ski]