University of Utah Opens Impact and Prosperity Epicenter

The University of Utah opened the Impact and Prosperity Epicenter in August of 2024 in Salt Lake City. Collocating academic, entrepreneurial, and residential functions, the 284,800-sf facility serves as a living and learning community for the David Eccles School of Business. The six-story structure features The Forum, a vibrant gathering place where users from diverse programs can network and collaborate. Directly above, the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity and the Sorenson Impact Center will equip a new generation of leaders with innovative strategies for resilient economic growth and social transformation.

The inclusive complex also provides housing for an international population of students participating in the Epicenter’s programs. Accommodating undergraduates, graduates, and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the development offers 780 beds in a variety of configurations ranging from individual rooms to shared apartments. A landscaped plaza with outdoor seating areas enhances connectivity with the adjacent Lassonde Studios.

Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign and MHTN Architects designed the sustainable project, which is slated to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification. Passive ventilation strategies and a high-performance envelope generate significant energy savings, with all-electric heating and cooling systems reducing dependency on fossil fuels. General contractor Okland Construction broke ground on the facility in September of 2022.