Chateau Normandie Apartments (a.k.a. Moyle Apartments)

History

The Chateau Normandie stands as one of Salt Lake City’s earliest apartment buildings, among the last to be completed during a wave of apartment construction in the early 20th century. This boom, reminiscent of today’s rapid development, was abruptly halted by the Great Depression. Unlike earlier downtown housing, which catered primarily to the wealthy and well-connected, the Chateau Normandie marked a shift toward inclusivity. It was designed to offer affordable, dignified housing for working-class individuals and single women at a time when such access was rare.

Spurred by the ideals of the Progressive Era and deepened by the economic crises of the 1920s and ’30s, Utahns began embracing a broader vision of community and social responsibility. The Chateau Normandie embodied this change, providing central city living, modern amenities, and a sense of place for people traditionally excluded from quality housing.

Architecturally, the Neo-Tudor style of the brick structure—with its bay windows, steeply pitched rooflines, and modest Tudor detailing—added charm and visual interest to a city grappling with economic hardship. Inside, Art Deco elements offered residents a stylish and contemporary environment. The building helped meet urgent housing needs following the 1929 stock market crash and contributed to the vitality of Salt Lake’s downtown long before the modern skyline emerged.

Though originally sold as part of a parcel that included the locally protected Dinwoody Mansion, the Chateau Normandie itself lacked formal preservation protections. Just two days after the property changed hands in October 2024, the building tragically caught fire twice.