Marmalade District finds new life in Salt Lake City
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Marmalade Branch Library. Photo: Kim Bojórquez/Axios
Salt Lake City's Marmalade District is having a moment.
Why it matters: A wave of new apartment construction is energizing a growing food and nightlife scene, turning the historic neighborhood into a buzzy destination.
State of play: The area recently added two trendy spots: Taverna, a cozy New York–style pizzeria with lines out the door, and Mono Tape Club, a Japanese-inspired listening bar that doubles as a cafe during the day.
- The Utah Film Center, which hosts community movie screenings, also relocated to the neighborhood last year.
What they're saying: "It's our northern gateway to the city," Salt Lake City Council Member Chris Wharton, who represents the neighborhood, told Axios.
- The area, once industrial, is becoming more residential and commercial, driven by its proximity to downtown and relative affordability (which is diminishing), Wharton noted.
- Businesses there also benefit from game-day traffic, with Utah Jazz and Mammoth fans taking the 600 North exit to the Delta Center.
Catch up quick: Just north of downtown and west of Capitol Hill, the Marmalade District is one of the state's oldest neighborhoods, first settled by Latter-day Saint pioneers.
- The neighborhood gets its name from the fruit trees once planted there, which are reflected in street names like Apricot Avenue and Quince Street.
- It was also long known as one of the city's earliest "gayborhoods." (RIP, Club Jam.)
- The annual Marmalade Jam Festival, entering its 12th year, takes place each fall.
Friction point: As more people move in, the neighborhood is facing affordability pressures driven by a surge in luxury apartments and townhomes — an issue Wharton said he is closely tracking.
- Newly built townhomes are approaching $800,000.
My thought bubble: Living near the Marmalade District has its perks, like easy access to the North Temple Station, where you can head downtown or the airport via Trax or head as far as Ogden or Provo on the FrontRunner.
- In the four years I've lived in this area, I've noticed my friends visit more often — because there are actually places to go now.