John Williams Legacy

2025 Individual Legacy Preservation Award

Project Dates: 1970’s - 2016

Buildings:

• The New York Hotel – A property John Williams and his partners restored in the late 1970s, transforming it into the Market Street Grill.

• Fire Station Number 8 – A former fire station in the university district, converted into the Market Street Broiler in 1982.

• Salt Lake Hardware Company Building – A once-vacant warehouse that was transformed into office spaces.

• Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Building – Another historic building restored by John Williams.

• Ford Motor Company Building – A building that John Williams played a role in restoring.

• Pierpont Building – A building also restored by John Williams.

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Few individuals have left as significant an imprint on Salt Lake City’s landscape and cuisine as John Williams. Before his passing in 2016, John was a true urban pioneer, seeing opportunity in spaces that others viewed as bleak or forgotten. As a designer, restaurateur, and developer, he played a crucial role in transforming the dining scene and the vitality of Salt Lake’s downtown through a blend of restored historic properties, contemporary restaurants, and office spaces. John’s talent for historic preservation was widely respected, as he seamlessly combined modern design with the charm of older structures, bringing new energy and beauty to the city’s core.

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In the late 1970s, John and his partners took a bold step by purchasing the New York Hotel, a property that one local newspaper described as “one of the seediest hotels in town” and had, unsurprisingly, been closed by the Salt Lake County Health Department. Undeterred, they moved forward not only to restore this forgotten building but to open an upscale seafood restaurant—an unusual venture for Salt Lake City at the time, given that seafood was defined mainly by Bratten’s Seafood Grotto. Almost 50 years later, the Market Street Grill is a beloved local institution, and its companion, the New Yorker, stood as a fixture in the community until it closed several years ago.

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John’s transformative work didn’t stop there. In 1980, the city declared Fire Station Number 8 in the university district “surplus property,” deeming it useless. However, John saw potential, purchasing the fire station in 1982 and converting it into the Market Street Broiler while preserving its Period Revival charm. What was once a decrepit and abandoned fire station became a vibrant neighborhood gathering place.

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Similarly, John took on the Salt Lake Hardware Company building, which downtown economics expert Donovan Rypkema had labeled a “white elephant.” The building was considered an overwhelming challenge in terms of its restoration and potential use. But John didn’t shy away from challenges; he saw a future for the abandoned warehouse. Today, the Salt Lake Hardware building houses offices, with one tenant proudly proclaiming, “We are located inside the historic Salt Lake Hardware building.”

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These are just a few examples of John’s commitment to preservation. He also restored the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Building, the Ford Motor Company Building, and the Pierpont Building, to name a few. John had an uncanny ability to seek out forgotten buildings—the kind that seemed to look out at the street with a quiet plea: “Does anyone care about me?” For John, the answer was always yes. He didn’t just renovate buildings; he saw the hidden potential in them and found a way to breathe new life into structures that others deemed lost. Long before “adaptive reuse” became a buzzword in preservation and urban planning, John pioneered this approach, converting old buildings into spaces for contemporary functions.

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Calling John “visionary” hardly does him justice. He didn’t just see what others overlooked; he sincerely believed that even the most neglected buildings had life and character worth restoring. His work was not just about preserving bricks and mortar—it was about revitalizing neighborhoods and communities. For John, preservation was a catalyst for broader transformation. His contributions to the city have been recognized by national organizations, including the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which awarded him its most prestigious honor, the Honor Award.

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John’s legacy extends beyond the buildings he restored. His pioneering spirit is also embodied in his role as a founding donor to Encircle, a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Established in 2019 by Stephenie Larsen, Encircle’s John Williams Encircle Home provides a supportive space for youth to gather, engage, and build community. Stephenie recalls, “John wanted Encircle to be a welcoming home for those who may not feel at home anywhere else, a place where people can connect with themselves and others. John wanted the youth to understand that they should never feel shame for who they are; they are beautiful as they are, and the world needs them.”

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John Williams' vision, generosity, and commitment to his city and its people continue to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on Salt Lake City.