Federal Heights, the Salt Lake City neighborhood famous for the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, is the area east of Virginia Street and to the north of South Temple. From the moment you pass through the gates separating the university from the residential area, it is obvious that you are in a neighborhood unlike the suburbs most of us in group five are accustomed to.
It is no secret that the homes that line the streets belong to the affluent. While large, they do not sacrifice quantity over quality. Each home has a moderate to large front yard, and with one exception where the home was abandoned, the landscaping appears professionally done. Most yards include trimmed hedges, formal flowers, and ivy climbing the fences and walls of the home. Many homes which are far from the curb have wavy staircases that lead from the sidewalk all the way to the door.
Although the weather was not pleasant during our trip, many women in designer track suits passed us by on their morning jogs. Cars that were visible in the driveways and driving down the streets tended to be from 2005 forward, and were often SUVs with one passenger, Subarus, often with bike racks, or sports cars.
From an architectural standpoint, Federal Heights is extremely varied. Unlike neighborhoods developed en masse with variations on one floorplan, each home here was uniquely identifiable. Styles of homes ranged from asymmetrical Victorian homes with black gates lining the balconies, to neo-colonial with white picket fences. A few homes had large white columns protecting the long porches. Modern ranch style homes had large windows overseeing their yards. There were few bungalow styles homes like those found in Sugarhouse, and no split-entry homes at all.
The ambiance of the neighborhood was welcoming. The well kept yards, clean, modern cars, and homes in great repair made us feel safe wherever we were. There were no signs of crime, apathy towards appearance, or “undesirables” anywhere.
--Jane, Britany, Brittney, Lauren, Chelsea
Its interesting, there are more modest versions of most of the houses in Federal Heights elsewhere in the city, but as you have said, what is unique about this section of the city is that virtually every single one of the houses is different from its neighbors. That architectural personality--most of them are architect designed houses as well--is a mix of the architect's vision and the client (the home owner's) desires and budget. The result is vivid, lively, rich and vibrant, in some ways a celebration of the most interesting revival styles of the early 20th century. As you said in your presentation, landscaping is incredibly important here and adds tremendously to the overall effect. Lush and verdant, the streets include public spaces--sort of mini-parks--that suggest a slower pace, time to chat or to pause in your busy life and to share time with your neighbor. Whether this actually happens is another matter altogether, but the space seems to invite it and to value it in fact. You have a sense when you go to Federal Heights that you are entering a place with distinct boundaries and a difference that means something particular. It might be about wealth, it might be about social status or prestige, or it might be about the type of work that individuals do, but it is different in terms of architecture, and in terms of persons who live there, and who is welcome. I love the variety and richness. Some of the most beautiful Prairie style houses are in Federal Heights. Its worth taking some extra time to study out some of the individual houses in the future. it becomes magical in the winter.
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