The Other Side Academy
Armstrong Mansion
2025 Rehabilitation & Restoration Awardee
Project Dates: November 2022 to July 2023
Building: 667 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Architect: Richard Kletting
Construction Date: 1891-1893
Team Members
The Armstrong Mansion, designed by Richard Kletting and completed between 1891 and 1893, is a stunning Queen Anne Victorian-style home. The house was built for Frances Armstrong and his wife Isabella, who had arrived in Salt Lake City as handcart pioneers. Frances and Isabella met when she was just 14 years old, and Frances, who had made his fortune in the lumber business, was determined to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle. He eventually traveled to England, where he fell in love with a Queen Anne Victorian home and decided to replicate it as their dream house in Salt Lake City.
The Armstrong Mansion was the first in Salt Lake City to feature indoor plumbing, a significant innovation at the time. It was built during Frances' second term as mayor, reflecting the family’s prominence and vision for a comfortable and modern home.
By the time The Other Side Academy acquired the property in 2015, the home had been serving as a bed and breakfast since 1994. The remodel from the 1990s significantly altered the interior, cutting through the original floors and creating numerous bedrooms, each with plumbing on the floors. As a result, much of the original flooring was beyond repair. However, despite these changes, the home retained much of its original charm, including hearth tiles, stained glass windows, ornate crown moldings, ceilings, and intricate hand-carved wainscotting. Beautiful original mantels, fireboxes, six enormous pocket doors, and functioning original door handles added to the home's historical character.
The restoration project, which began in November 2022 and concluded in July 2023, aimed to preserve the essence of the original house while adapting it to meet the needs of The Other Side Academy, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating and restoring individuals. The restoration team worked to bring the home back to its former glory, salvaging and restoring what they could while making necessary updates to fit the organization's functions. The house now stands as a symbol of transformation, representing the mission of The Other Side Academy to help individuals rebuild their lives.
The vast majority of the work on the mansion was done by The Other Side Builders as the general contractor. The body of labor for The Other Side Builders consists of students at The Other Side Academy. They are overseen by Jordon Holdaway, the General Manager of The Other Side Builders, who serves as the qualifier for licensing. The students receive on-the-job training while enrolled in The Academy. Most of the people in the construction department will be part of The Other Side Builders for months to years, moving through the ranks to become “crew bosses” (foremen) who oversee other students once they have demonstrated their capacity and ability to manage a crew.
Some specialty trades, such as plumbing, electrical, and mechanical, work as subcontractors. These subcontractors often hire graduates from The Other Side Academy upon program completion. Abstract Masonry was hired to restore and protect the exterior masonry of the mansion, while an outside specialty contractor was engaged to restore the beautiful interior woodwork.
The restoration of this beautiful structure has not only preserved a significant piece of Salt Lake City’s architectural history but has also contributed to the revitalization and enhancement of the surrounding neighborhood. Through careful restoration, the home now serves as a testament to the past and a vital resource for those seeking to rebuild their futures. The Armstrong Mansion continues to stand as a metaphor for the transformative work of The Other Side Academy and remains a significant part of the community’s architectural legacy.
