Reimagining a Salt Lake City Avenues Home

Sometimes, the biggest challenges in remodeling an older home aren’t visible until the walls come down.

When we were hired for a major remodel and addition on this home on D Street in Salt Lake City’s Avenues neighborhood, the plan was to transform the existing residence while adding space designed around the homeowner’s lifestyle. Once demolition began, the house started revealing a much more complicated history.

What followed was an extensive reconstruction that transformed the property into a 4,224-square-foot, six-bedroom home while maintaining the charm of the historic home.

Remodeling an Older Home in Salt Lake City’s Avenues

The Avenues is one of Salt Lake City’s oldest and most architecturally distinctive residential areas, with homes representing more than a century of changing residential styles.

That history is part of what makes remodeling homes in established neighborhoods so interesting. It’s also part of what can make these projects complicated.

Older homes often carry evidence of previous owners, renovations, additions, and building practices from different eras. Sometimes those changes are apparent before construction begins. Other times, the full story doesn’t emerge until demolition is underway.

That was certainly the case here.

Once the existing finishes began coming out, we discovered that the home had undergone several previous additions. We also found evidence of fire damage, which could also cause structural issues in the long run.

Rather than simply building another addition onto what was already there, we worked with the homeowner to evaluate the existing structure and determine the best way forward.

Ultimately, we collectively decided to remove the previous construction while preserving three exterior brick walls. Keeping those walls allowed us to maintain the home’s existing setbacks while providing the opportunity to reconstruct virtually everything behind them.

Take the Home Back to Its Salt Lake City Core

Calling this project a “remodel” doesn’t quite capture the extent of the work.

We stripped the home back to its foundation.

Roof trusses came out. Walls came down. Basement floors were removed. Existing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems were taken out along with other components that could no longer serve the new design.

What remained was essentially the framework for an entirely new, modern home.

In this case, removing the previous construction allowed the project team to approach the house differently while still retaining an important piece of the original structure.

Designing a Custom Home Around the Person Who Lives There

With the old construction removed, we began bringing the new design to life in collaboration with designer Heather McKell of McKell Designs.

Rather than simply replacing old rooms with newer versions of the same spaces, the home was reimagined around how its owner wanted to live.

The design brings exterior elements indoors, incorporates principles of Feng Shui, and creates distinct spaces for gathering, working, relaxing, and everyday routines. Personal touches were incorporated throughout the home’s more private spaces as well, creating rooms that feel intentional rather than simply expansive.

Across three levels, every part of the 4,224-square-foot home serves a purpose.

An Entire Upper Level Designed as a Private Retreat

One of the most substantial changes was the addition of a new 1,274-square-foot upper level dedicated primarily to the owner’s suite.

Rather than treating the primary suite as simply a bedroom, bathroom, and closet, the new level functions more like a private retreat within the home.

The bedroom opens into a spacious sitting area centered around a fireplace, with access to a private balcony. A dedicated work area provides a separate place to focus without leaving the suite.

The custom bathroom and expansive walk-in closet continue that sense of privacy, with abundant storage incorporated throughout.

But some of the home’s most personalized features sit beyond the traditional primary suite.

A private wing includes its own laundry area, clothes steamer and folding station, additional storage, and a personal sauna.

Together, these spaces turn everyday routines into a more enjoyable experience for working, getting ready, doing laundry, organizing clothing, or simply winding down.

Opening Up the Main Floor

Downstairs, the 1,750-square-foot main level was redesigned around gathering and everyday living.

The new open-concept layout includes two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an office, dining area, sitting area, breakfast nook, and a professional-grade kitchen.

Creating openness doesn’t necessarily mean turning an entire floor into one enormous room. Thoughtful sightlines and transitions allow the different spaces to feel connected while maintaining their individual purposes.

That balance was particularly important here.

The kitchen, breakfast nook, dining, and sitting areas create natural places to gather, while bedrooms and office space allow the main floor to accommodate quieter parts of everyday life.

The result is a floor plan capable of changing throughout the day rather than being designed around a single use.

Giving the Basement a Purpose of Its Own

The home’s 1,200-square-foot basement adds considerably more than storage.

Three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom expand the home’s private living space, while a large entertainment area and kitchenette create a separate place for gathering.

Generous storage was also incorporated into the laundry area.

Older-home basements can easily become disconnected from the design of the floors above them. Here, the basement was treated as another functional part of the home, giving the homeowner flexible space for guests, entertainment, storage, and everyday use.

Bringing the Old and New Together Outside

The exterior may tell the story of this Salt Lake City remodel better than anything else.

The existing brick provides a visual connection to the original home, while the new construction introduces contemporary materials selected for performance, longevity, and lower maintenance.

The exterior incorporates fiber cement siding, GAF solar shingles and standing seam roofing, Alside triple-pane windows, and a custom oak front door.

The GAF solar roofing system is particularly interesting because the solar technology is incorporated directly into the roofing system rather than relying on traditional rack-mounted panels. The result allows energy-producing technology to become part of the roof’s overall appearance.

Outdoor living was also incorporated into the renovation with a large Trex deck and Bullfrog spa, extending usable living space beyond the home’s interior.

The combination creates something that doesn’t try to pretend the renovation never happened. Instead, the exterior allows the home’s original brick and new construction to exist together.

Considering a Major Remodel or Addition in Salt Lake City?

Whether you’re thinking about remodeling an older Salt Lake City home, planning an addition, or trying to understand what’s possible with an existing property, having an experienced builder involved early can help uncover challenges, evaluate options, and turn an initial idea into a realistic construction plan.

At CK Builders, we approach each project individually, from complex remodels in established neighborhoods to completely custom new construction throughout Utah.

Have a project you’re considering? Explore more of our work or contact CK Builders to start a conversation about what’s possible.