Skip to main content
Intellect

BYU to raze remaining buildings in Deseret Towers housing complex

Brigham Young University has announced plans to raze the remaining five buildings in the Deseret Towers housing complex on campus. In the fall of 2006, BYU razed two of the seven residence halls, V and W Halls. The other five buildings served students throughout the 2006-2007 school year, but have remained unoccupied since September.

Impact Contractor, Inc., out of Salt Lake City, will begin demolition work on the other five in mid-November. Demolition and clean-up is expected to continue through June.

In September 2005, BYU announced that it would be taking Deseret Towers out of service. The university explained that the buildings would be vacated over a two-year period beginning fall 2006. At that time, the university also announced the creation of two pilot programs: the opening of Wyview apartments to single students and the beginning of chartered housing, an arrangement where a private property owner works closely with the university to provide quality housing.

The university faced a growing vacancy rate and aging mechanical systems at Deseret Towers, and is currently studying its housing options, particularly the need for more on-campus, apartment-style housing.

The university has not announced any plans to replace Deseret Towers. “Before we complete our master housing plan we want to further study the desires and needs of our students,” said Julie Franklin, director of Residence Life at BYU.

The first five buildings of Deseret Towers were constructed in 1964. Additional buildings were added in 1969 and 1978. Each building had seven floors and a basement and could house up to 264 students.

“Over time the residence halls’ maintenance costs steadily increased to the point that it was no longer prudent to operate them,” said Brian Evans, administrative vice president and chief financial officer at BYU.

“The buildings also are not equipped to handle the needs of today’s students,” he said. “For instance, unlike in 1964, students have computers, small refrigerators, televisions and a variety of other electrical devices. There are simply not enough outlets to handle their needs.”

towers1.jpg
Photo by Jaren S. Wilkey/BYU Photo

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Wildfires in residential areas are on the rise; why hydrants and the water system behind them were never meant to stop those fires

July 01, 2025
BYU professor Rob Sowby teaches and studies environmental engineering, urban water infrastructure and sustainability. He has particular expertise in the planning, design, construction and operation of public water systems. That expertise has been increasingly important (and regularly sought out) in the wake of apocalyptic wildfires that have taxed those public water systems.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Meet the BYU math student helping make wildfire predictions faster and smarter

June 25, 2025
Using machine learning and math, a BYU student improved a key tool firefighters rely on during wildfire season
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Geology meets history: BYU professor studies WWII shrapnel on Normandy beaches

June 05, 2025
Eighty years after D-Day, BYU geologists uncover lingering WWII shrapnel on Normandy beaches to study how history still shapes the coastline today.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=