Salt Palace, Salt Lake City

The city's first Salt Palace – so called because of its original frame structure covered in large pieces of rock salt – was built in 1899 but fell victim to fire just 10 years later. An indoor arena with the same name was completed in 1969 and hosted the home games of the Utah Stars and Utah Jazz basketball teams among concerts and other events. The arena was demolished, and this brand new, state-of-the-art convention center opened its doors in 1996. Major expansions in 2000 and 2005 increased the building's size to nearly one million square feet.

Many of the convention center's most striking visual features were obtained through the creative use of hollow structural steel in exposed applications. The entrance towers, delicate snowflake chandeliers, and grand five-story main concourse make the Salt Palace part architectural showpiece, part modern art sculpture, and ready to be all business. Interesting art installations make a walk through the venue enjoyable.

Adjoined to the facility are the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and Abravanel Hall, home of the Utah Symphony.