Three Church structures in SLC to undergo renovations

SALT LAKE CITY — The Beehive House, the Lion House, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown Salt Lake City will be undergoing renovations beginning in 2023.

The Beehive House is set to close April 8, 2023, while the Lion House — which has been closed since 2020 — will remain closed.

“This project will address structural deficiencies, preservation of aging finishes, replacement of outdated mechanical systems, and updating the guest experience,” stated a Tuesday press release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Renovations at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building will also begin in early 2023. According to the release, the building will have its electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems upgraded. Crews will also focus on improving guest and event spaces, adding more elevators, and upgrading its restaurants.

“The building and the restaurants and event spaces will be closed to the public while undergoing these renovations,” the release stated.

All three buildings are expected to reopen in 2025.

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is described by the Church as a “multipurpose, ten-story administrative office building and social center.”

The building, once the Hotel Utah, was finished in 1911 and functioned as a hotel until 1987. The Church reopened it in 1993 with public dining and hosting options and with office and meeting space.

All three buildings are on South Temple in Salt Lake City.

The Lion House was the family home of Brigham Young, the first governor of Utah and second President of the Church. It was built in 1856, taking its name from a stone lion statue above the front entrance.

The Beehive House was built in 1854, by the same architect, Truman Angell, who designed the Salt Lake Temple. It was the official residence of three Presidents of the Church — Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith.

Larry D. Curtis contributed to this report.

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