The purpose of this web page is to provide information about the renovation and enlargement of the Salt Lake City Utah Temple as well as other facilities on Temple Square and Office Square. The renovation project was announced in 2019 and is expected to be completed late in 2026 or early in 2027. The renovation will include seismic upgrades, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing improvements, and restoration of the temple's historic features.
The buildings north of the temple (known as the Temple Annex) were demolished and are replaced with a huge new building with three stories underground and two towers coming out of the ground on the north end of Temple Square. The temple's interior will be updated with new finishes and furnishings. The renovation is expected to be completed late in 2026 or early in 2027. The Open House for the temple is now scheduled for April through October 2027, with the dedication following a few weeks later.
For progress snapshots please select the semi-annual report you want to read from the list below.
For a general introduction to the current and former buildings on and nearby Temple Square read the materials below, starting with "Church Buildings in downtown Salt Lake City".
For those who are not familiar with church properties in downtown Salt Lake City, I made the preceeding diagram. Adjacent to temple square are other blocks (also square) that are owned by the church. I decided to give the other blocks a 'square' name (no one else uses these names). East of Temple Square is "Office Square" where many church offices are located. North of Temple Square is the Conference Center, which I have named "Conference Square." West of Temple Square is another square, with two important buildings. The first is the Church History Museum where historical artifacts (other than books and documents are kept), and the Family Search Library (formerly known as the "Family History Library").
Many patrons will enter the temple through the underground connection to the conference center parking structure on the north side of North Temple Street. The northern extension of the temple has three full floors below ground. Among the items in the northern extension of the temple are administration, locker rooms, and two baptismal fonts. The buildings that rise above the ground will probably house sealing rooms and I suspect a ground-level recommend desk as well. Note the top floor underground will have some natural light through skylights.
If the baptistries are built on the third level underground, it will set a new record for the depth below ground of temple baptismal fonts.
Temple Square - Buildings Prior to the Renovation
The Tabernacle
The original meeting place (after the Bowery which was temporary) built after the Saints came to Utah. Construction started in 1863 and was finished in 1867. The tabernacle was the first building completed on Temple Square. From 1867 until 2000 it was the home for General Conference.
The goal was to build a building without columns. That was successful. However a balcony was added. This balcony was supported by columns from the main floor. The early Saints were shorter than those in the 20th Century. Eventually the distance between seats was widened for the modern church members.
The building has always been know for great accoustics. This allows speakers to be heard without electronic support.
It is the home of the "Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra and Bells on Temple Square." The building was etensively renovated in 2005-2007. Before the remodeling many thousands were baptized in the baptismal font in the Tabernacle (including myself). That baptismal font no longer exists. The space became dressing rooms for the Tabernacle Choir."
My father documented how the roof of the Taberbacle was constructed as his thesis for a masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah in the 1940s.
The Assembly Hall
The Assembly Hall on Temple Square was announced in 1877. It was to be built directly sourth of the Taberbacle. The hall is decorated with stain glass windows popular in the late 1800s.
Like the Tabernacle and the Conference Center the building has a pipe organ. The current one is quite new having been installed in 1980.
It was used for smaller meeetings for which the tabernacle is too large. I remember attending a Priesthood Leadership meeting in the building. Today, the Assembly Hall is used for lectures, recitals, and concerts. Its benches accommodate about 1,200 guests.
The Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was dedicated in 1893. The temple is built of granite quarried from Little Cottonwood Canyon, about 20 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. The granite was quarried by hand and transported to the site by horse-drawn wagons or floated down canals. The temple is known for its distinctive spires and intricate stonework.
The temple is a symbol of the faith and dedication of the early pioneers who settled in Utah. It is also a testament to the architectural and engineering skills of the time. The temple has been renovated several times since its completion, with the most recent renovation beginning in 2020.
The current renovation guts the basement and replaces that area with endowment rooms (five of them). The Terrestrail Room on the floor above was reduced in size and will be know as the Veil Room. The Veil of the temple and the Celestial Room remain in the same places as they were before the renovation. Colors in the Temple will be brighter as artists are restoring the intricate painting inside. Exactly what has happened to the rooms on the floors above is not clear, but the Priesthood room modeled like that in Kirtland, Washington D.C. and St. George is expected to remain a part of the building.
The South Visitor Center
The South Visitor Center was the first visitor center to be built on Temple Square. It was built in 1964 and was used for many years as a visitor center. It was remodeled in 1993 and again in 2005. The building was closed in 2019 and demolished in 2020.
The North Visitor Center
The North Visitor Center was the second center on Temple Square. It promenently featured the "Christus" statue by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The Rome Temple visitor center also has this statue, with the original twelve apostles. Before this building was destroyed the statue was carefully moved to the Conference Center.
I saw glass missing in the center window, which indicated that the statue may have been remvoed the the window on its way to the Conference Center.
Between the North Visitor Center and the Tabernacle was a large grass area. At Christmas time it was decorated with a manger sceen. This area is now known as the Northwest Garden on Temple Square. The only building in the area is an exceptional restroom.
Office Square
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building was previously know as the Hotel Utah, but was remodeled for offices, banquet areas, and other uses, while retaining the exterior look.
Church Office Building
The Church Office Building tower was opened in 1972 and dedicated in 1975. At 420 feet tall it was the tallest building in Salt Lake City for several years. It contains most, but not all of the church offices in the Salt Lake City area.
Church Administration Building
This building contains offices for the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Don't try to visit this building unless you have an appointment. The building is NOT open to the public.
Relief Society Building
The Relief Society Building on the northwest corner of Office Square was built in the 1950s. It houses the offices of the Women's Organizations Relief Society, Young Women and Primary.
Lion House and Beehive House - Pioneer Era Homes
The Lion House and Beehive House were pioneer residences which remain on Office Square. They've been museums for the most part, but the Lion House had hosted a restaurant. Both builings are now being renovated.
Conference Square
The Conference Center
The Conference Center. Construction begain on July 24, 1997 and was completed in 2000. On August 11, 1999 a small tornado passed right between the Temple and the Conference Center, there was minor damage.
City Creek flows above ground
City Creek (a significant stream) from a nearby canyon runs trough this area. The strem is partially surfaced along the south side of the Conference Center. The flow can be turned on and off as needed.
Other Nearby Buildings
Church History Museum
The Church History Museum - The museum houses historical artifacts excluding books which are kept at the Church History Library. The library is just accross West Temple Street from Temple Square.
Family Search Library
Family Search Library - The wold's largest collection of geneological records. The library is adjacent to the Church History Museum on West Temple Street.
Church History Library
The Church History Library is located on the northeast corner of North Temple and Main Street. To the south is Office Square, to the southeast is Temple Square and to the west is the Confernece Center. Historical records of all kinds are stored and preserved here. The author of this web site has four books at this library
