What Was the Cost of the Salt Lake Temple Renovation?
The overall renovation project for the Salt Lake Temple, undertaken from late 2019 to 2025, cost approximately $125 million USD. This substantial investment covered seismic upgrades, structural reinforcements, interior restoration, expansion, and modernization.
Which Floors Were Renovated (2019–2025)?
- Main Sacred Spaces: The assembly halls, including the celestial room and sealing rooms, were carefully restored, with murals, stained glass, and intricate woodwork preserved and reinstalled.
- Mezzanine & Connecting Corridors: These transitional spaces received upgrades for safety, lighting, and accessibility while maintaining original architectural features.
- Underground & Expansion Levels: New chambers, including the second baptistry and additional sealing rooms (expanded from 13 to 22), were constructed beneath the existing structure as part of the expansion.
- Roof & Spires: Structural reinforcement and repairs were performed on the roof and the iconic spires, though not on floors but important to overall stability.
What Was Preserved in the Salt Lake Temple?
- Murals & Artwork: Original murals depicting religious scenes were carefully documented, removed temporarily for seismic work, then restored and reinstalled.
- Architectural Features: The stained-glass windows, ornate moldings, and carved woodwork original to 1893 were preserved and restored.
- Historic Artifacts: The cast-iron oxen at the baptismal font, original chandeliers, and the stone spiral staircases were meticulously repaired and maintained.
- Interior Finishes: Classic dark woods, Victorian-era fixtures, and other historic interior elements were restored to their original condition, maintaining the temple’s historic aesthetic.
What Was Removed (and Not Replaced)?
- Murals & Artwork: Temporarily removed murals are slated for reinstallation after restoration but were not discarded.
- Old Mechanical/Electrical Systems: Outdated wiring, HVAC, and plumbing were removed and replaced with modern, energy-efficient systems.
- Incompatible or Non-Historic Fixtures: Certain fixtures and finishes that did not align with preservation standards were removed and replaced with modern equivalents that match the original design.
- Outdated Lighting: Non-LED fixtures replaced with energy-efficient, period-appropriate LED lighting.
All the Modern Technology Added to the Salt Lake Temple
- Seismic Safety: Nearly 100 advanced base isolators allowing the structure to sway safely during earthquakes.
- Foundation Reinforcement: Steel pilings and deep granite coring (~150 ft) ensure long-term stability.
- Energy Efficiency: Modern HVAC systems, LED lighting with smart controls, and new electrical wiring for better energy performance.
- Safety & Security: State-of-the-art fire detection, suppression systems, surveillance cameras, and access controls.
- Accessibility Improvements: New elevators, ramps, and signage in compliance with ADA standards.
- Audiovisual & Presentation Systems: Updated sound, projection, and multimedia systems support larger and more inclusive meetings and broadcasts.
Rough Number of Construction Workers Involved
While precise figures are not publicly disclosed, large-scale projects of this scope typically involve around 200 to 400 skilled workers at peak times. This includes masons, structural engineers, electricians, carpenters, artisans, safety personnel, and project managers working in multiple phases.
Summary:
The Salt Lake Temple’s $125 million renovation was a major effort involving seismic upgrades with nearly 100 base isolators, preservation of historic murals and architectural details, and a host of modern safety, energy, and communication technologies. It involved hundreds of skilled workers over more than five years, ensuring this historic religious icon continues to serve for generations with resilience and beauty.