Huntsman Center

1825 E. South Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, 84112

Endangered: Monitoring

2025

County

Salt Lake

Year Built

1969

Architect

Bruce H. Jensen

National Register?

Status

Endangered: Monitoring

Status Explanation

The risk of demolition and moving the Huntsman Center has lessened. In February 2026, Athletic Director Mark Harlan said he preferred a 'renovation-plus' plan that would keep the building where it is, lower seating from about 15,000 to 8,000 or 9,000, and add premium seating. By late March, the university began planning and asked design firms to bid on a full feasibility study. This study will look at seismic upgrades, modernizing infrastructure, improving the fan experience, and long-term revenue. No final renovation plan has been approved yet. The main preservation question is whether such a renovation would protect or harm the building’s key features, especially the Triax Dome and the suspended steel cloud, and if the project will qualify as a certified historic rehabilitation.

About the Threat

The University of Utah’s campus master plan aims to turn the school from a commuter campus into a residential one, which has put pressure on changing or replacing the Huntsman Center. As of early 2026, the university seems to prefer renovation over demolition, but nothing is final. The current idea would lower seating from about 15,000 to 9,000, add premium seating, and might change the building’s footprint. It is not clear if this renovation would keep the Triax Dome, the suspended steel cloud, or other important features. Even without tearing down the building, major changes to the interior or dome could permanently damage its historic character.

Access

The Jon M. Huntsman Center remains open and actively in use. It continues to serve as the home venue for the University of Utah men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics, and hosts university commencement ceremonies and other events. No closure or construction timeline has been announced. The feasibility study process is underway, but renovation work has not begun.

History

What can be done? What was learned?

The Huntsman Center has never been formally evaluated for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. At 57 years old, it already exceeds the standard 50-year threshold for eligibility consideration, and a qualified preservation consultant could initiate that evaluation. A formal eligibility determination would document the building's architectural significance, particularly the Triax Dome, which was the largest clear-span wood dome in the world at the time of construction, and could strengthen the case for a preservation-sensitive renovation. It could also open the door to federal and state historic tax credits if the university pursues a certified rehabilitation.

What is the timeline?

The University of Utah board of trustees planned to vote on the Huntsman Center’s future on March 10, 2026, with additional votes scheduled for Spring as part of the campus master plan.

What has been the public discussion?

Since March 2025, the future of the Huntsman Center has drawn steady media coverage and public interest. This began when the University of Utah board of trustees approved the Campus Physical Development Framework and shared plans to move the arena as part of the College Town Magic initiative. Fans, alumni, and preservationists responded, and both the Daily Utah Chronicle and Building Salt Lake published pieces about the building’s architectural and cultural importance.

In January 2026, the focus of coverage changed when Athletic Director Mark Harlan said the university was now considering renovating the arena instead of replacing it. In February, he told the board of trustees that renovation was where his "mindset is right now." The Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune both reported on this change in direction. Preservation Utah’s 2025 Most Endangered listing also helped raise awareness about the building’s architectural value, especially the Triax Dome.

By March 2026, the university started asking design firms to submit bids for a feasibility study, as reported by KSL Sports. As of May 2026, no firm had been chosen. When KSL Sports reached out, the university declined to comment. Fans and alumni have been actively discussing the issue online, with most supporting renovation instead of demolition. However, many are still concerned about how much of the building’s original character would remain after renovation.

Links to more information and articles.

KSL Sports, March 24, 2026 — "Utah progressing in Huntsman Center renovation": https://sports.ksl.com/ncaa/utah/utah-huntsman-center-renovation/573022

Deseret News, February 10, 2026 — "Will Utah renovate the Huntsman Center instead of building a new arena?": https://www.deseret.com/sports/2026/02/10/utah-utes-renovating-huntsman-center-mark-harlan

Salt Lake Tribune, February 10, 2026 — "The University of Utah has a new proposal for the Huntsman Center": https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2026/02/10/utah-utes-set-renovate-huntsman/

Salt Lake Tribune, January 7, 2026 — "How the University of Utah's plans for a new sports arena might be changing": https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2026/01/07/utah-huntsman-center-plans-could/

University of Utah official Huntsman Center page: https://utahutes.com/facilities/jon-m-huntsman-center/4

Daily Utah Chronicle, April 16, 2025 — original listing coverage: https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/04/16/despite-history-and-significance-plans-for-the-huntsman-centers-relocation-are-moving-forward/

Building Salt Lake opinion: https://buildingsaltlake.com/the-university-of-utah-has-a-master-planning-problem-opinion/

Architect obituary (Bruce H. Jensen): https://www.larkinmortuary.com/obituary/generate_obit_pdf/bruce-herbert-jensen-19/