Salt Lake Temple Renovation (2019–2025): Key Details
Which Floors Were Renovated in the Salt Lake Temple?
- Main Sacred Interior Floors: The interior spaces—including the celestial room, sealing rooms, and assembly halls—were extensively restored. Original murals, stained-glass windows, ornate woodwork, and fixtures from 1893 were carefully preserved and reinstalled.
- Mezzanine & Connector Levels: These areas, which support the sacred spaces and connect different parts of the temple, received modern upgrades for safety, lighting, and accessibility, while maintaining their historic appearance.
- Underground & Expansion Floors: New chambers, including 9 additional sealing rooms (increasing from 13 to 22), a second baptistry, and administrative offices, were built beneath the existing structure to increase capacity.
- Roof & Spires: Reinforcement and repair of the roof and iconic spires were performed — although not “floors,” these structural elements were part of the renovation scope.
What Was Preserved?
- Murals and Artwork: Many original murals depicting religious scenes—carefully documented, removed temporarily, and planned for reinstallation.
- Architectural Features: Original stained-glass windows, intricate moldings, and detailed woodwork from 1893 were restored.
- Historic Fixtures: The cast-iron oxen at the baptismal font, historic chandeliers, and stone spiral staircases were repaired and preserved.
- Interior Finishes: Authentic dark woods, period-specific lighting fixtures, and detailed interior finishes were painstakingly restored to retain the original Victorian-era craftsmanship.
What Was Removed (and Not Replaced)?
- Murals & Artwork: The murals were removed temporarily for seismic and structural reinforcement but are scheduled to be reinstalled after conservation.
- Old Mechanical & Electrical Systems: Outdated wiring, HVAC units, and plumbing were removed and replaced with modern, energy-efficient systems.
- Less Authentic Interior Fixtures: Non-historic or incompatible fixtures and finishes, which conflicted with preservation standards, were replaced.
- Old Lighting Fixtures: Outdated or non-authentic lighting was replaced with new LED lighting designed to mimic historic light sources.
All the Modern Technologies Added
- Seismic Safety System: Installation of nearly 100 advanced base isolators allowing the building to sway up to five feet during earthquakes.
- Foundation Reinforcement: Steel structures and deep coring (~150 feet into granite) to anchor the building securely.
- HVAC & Electrical Systems: Fully modern, energy-efficient climate control and electrical wiring for better comfort and sustainability.
- Fire and Security Systems: Modern fire detection, alarm, and surveillance systems were installed to comply with current safety standards.
- Lighting: LED lighting with smart controls to enhance visibility and energy efficiency.
- AV & Presentation Tech: Updated audiovisual systems for presentations and events, integrated seamlessly into the historic environment.
- Accessibility Features: New elevators, ramps, and signage to meet ADA standards and improve visitor flow.
Rough Number of Construction Workers
- While exact figures are not publicly released, projects of this scale—addressing seismic upgrades, interior restoration, expansion, and infrastructure—typically involve several hundred workers at peak times.
- For a project of this magnitude, it’s common to see around 200 to 400 skilled trade workers (including structural engineers, masons, carpenters, electricians, etc.), working in phases over the 2.5-year period.
Summary:
The 2019–2025 renovation of the Salt Lake Temple involved extensive restoration and structural reinforcement of the main sacred floors, with historic murals, woodwork, stained glass, and fixtures preserved and carefully reinstalled. Outdated systems were replaced with modern, energy-efficient, seismic, safety, and AV technology. Several hundred skilled construction workers participated over the course of the project to ensure the successful blending of historic preservation with contemporary needs.