David Keith Mansion (restoration)

• Address

  529 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

• Year Completed

  1986

• Historic Information

  National Register
  Historic Site Register
  Restored, Rehabilitated or Remodeled
  
  

• Building Type

  Residential

• Location Area

  Thru out Salt Lake County

• Architect:

  Max J. Smith

• Firm/Partnership

  Max J. Smith & Associates

• Project Description

  Building Description: Max Smith noted that in 1984, Max J. Smith and Associates continued to broaden the firm’s base including “The David Keith Mansion (also known as the Keith-Brown Mansion/Leucadia Corporate Headquarters) which was gutted by fire. In 1984, the firm became seriously involved in restorations of historically significant buildings when the office of their client was almost destroyed by a fire. This ‘office’ was the David Keith Mansion. The firm was selected to orchestrate the restoration of this historically significant building. This introduction into the specialized world of historic restoration resulted in this type of work becoming a significant percentage of the firm's work over the ensuing years with numerous projects of this nature, including the Utah State Governor’s Mansion (also damaged by fire) and culminating in the restoration and seismic upgrade of the Utah State Capitol building in 2003.”¹

  MJSA Architects described the building as: “Considered by many to be one of the most architecturally significant buildings of this region, this turn-of-the-century mansion was nearly destroyed by fire in 1986.

  Its restoration took nearly three years and resulted in a critically acclaimed restoration project. Since major portions of the interior were destroyed, considerable attention was paid to documenting the finishes in order to properly reconstruct both the interior and exterior with historical accuracy. The range of finishes is very broad as is typical for a building of this period. Thorough research produced sufficient data to conclude historic wood finishes. Existing photographs proved essential to the rebuilding of the large stained glass dome and the identification of wood veneer patterns in the main rotunda and stair. Flamed, crotch-sawn mahogany veneer flitches closely matching the originals were located in Indiana. These veneers were laid-up to replicate this most characteristic feature of the Mansion. Carved wood elements were recreated using the charred object as a model. Nearly eighty-five percent of the glass in the dome is original due to early salvage interventions by our design team. A most exhaustive and exacting building deodorization procedure resulted in an odor free environment, difficult to achieve with seriously burned buildings. y The very level of craftsmanship exhibited by the large team of restoration artisans engaged in wood joinery and fine carving, art glass, hand-rubbed shellac wood finishes, gave re-birth to this architectural treasure.

  Through the commitment of the Mansion’s owners to preservation, continuing restoration efforts are ongoing, which has resulted in the complete restoration of the main south porch and colonnade. Through a very innovative procedure, the badly deteriorated base stones were replaced while the upper column and porch were temporarily held in place without displacement. The original roofing had been replaced with asphalt shingles in the late sixties, and research showed that the original pressed metal shingles were still available. The roof restoration was completed and other waterproofing issues inherent in the original design were corrected. The west and east porches were due for restoration, including the repair and restoration of tesserae tile floors on all porches. Site improvements continue to be made to better integrate the Mansion with its immediate dependency, the Carriage House. The current landscaping is the result of a dramatic reduction in planting and the implementation of a gravel bed at the base of the building to alleviate water at or near the Mansion’s stone base. Exterior lighting was accomplished by locating light sources high in the surrounding trees which give the entire building a gentle warm glow, like the effect of bright moonlight. Another post-fire project involved updating the entire mechanical system and removal of major equipment from the Mansion to an underground vault located north of the building.”²

  Another document from MJSA Architects describes the structure as, “David Keith, a mining partner of Thomas Kearns, built the Keith Mansion in 1900. The stately mansion was designed by Frederick A. Hale in the Neoclassical style. The exterior of the 8,300 square foot residence is constructed of oolitic limestone from a local quarry. The interior rooms are organized around an octagonal rotunda of polished mahogany and elegant interior stained glass skylight. The Keith’s lived in the mansion until 1916 when it was sold. It remained a residence until 1969 at which time it was acquired by Terracor, which adapted it for use as offices.”³







• Sources

  1. Personal Communication with Max J. Smith, November 14, 2016.“David Keith Mansion,” MJSA Architects’ website, accessed December 1, 2016, http://www.mjsaa.com/portfolio/index.php?showimage=124.“David Keith Mansion Restoration,” from Restoration and Seismic Base Isolation of the Utah State Capitol Building (July 8, 2002). From MJSA Architects, Salt Lake City, Utah.