BYU to raze remaining buildings in Deseret Towers housing complex - BYU News 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"

Three days, one song: BYU music students team up with Grammy winner Mark Lettieri to create new track

March 14, 2025
Imagine being tasked with writing a song in just three days, and then getting the chance to work alongside world-renowned guitarist Mark Lettieri. That was the incredible opportunity five BYU commercial music students.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU’s world-class pipe organ is the ‘crown jewel’ of the new Concert Hall

March 06, 2025
If you haven’t experienced the pipe organ in the BYU Music Building yet, you’re in for a treat. With 4,613 pipes and 81 ranks (sets of pipes), it’s the third largest organ in Utah and the only one with two consoles. Organists can play from a console located in the center of the pipework facade or from a movable stage console.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU study analyzes distant Kuiper Belt object with NASA's Hubble data

March 04, 2025
The researchers identify a possible rare triple system in the Kuiper Belt
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=