Bertolini Block
1891-1892, William Carroll

Bertolini Block

The Bertolini Block is one of the few physical reminders of the immigrant communities which flourished in Salt Lake City at the turn of the century. Ignazio Bertolini, an Italian-American real estate developer, constructed the building in 1891-1892 as an office and residence.

Over the years, the main floor housed a variety of Italian, Green, Russian, and Japanese businesses, including several restaurants, barbers, groceries, and an organ grinder. The Bertolini Block is a good example of this type of small commercial buildings constructed in Salt Lake City in the late 19th century.
Look for a variety of brick patterns, carved stone, a tin cornice, and cast iron columns.

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Located at 145 West 200 South in Salt Lake City, Utah

Bertolini Block

The Bertolini Block is located at 145 West on 200 South in Salt Lake City. Constructed in 1891-92, it was designed by William Carroll and built for Ignazio Bertolini who was a native of Italy. The building was originally used for his real estate office and private residence. Later it was occupied by various Italian, Greek, Russian and Japanese businessmen. The Bertolini Block is significant was one of the first business buildings constructed in Utah by a Southern European immigrant and for its continued use by a variety of ethnic businessmen.

Located in the west side of Salt Lake City where the railroad and mines brought a great multi-ethnic population to the city, the Bertolini Block is one of the few remaining sites to have been continuously associated with ethnic minorities in Utah. Since its construction in 1891-92 by real estate developer Ignazio Bertolini, the building has been occupied by various Italian, Greek, Russian, and Japanese businessmen. Bertolini Block is significant architecturally as a well preserved example of small commercial structures built in Utah cities during the building boom prior to the Panic of 1893. Its plan, detailing and overall appearance are representative of architecture of the period, little of which remains intact in Salt Lake City. Architect William Carrol I was a locally prominent architect from about I860 until I907. His best known surviving work is the diminutive Bertolini Block.

Ignazio Bertolini, a prominent Italian-American real estate developer in Salt Lake City in the early I890’s had the Bertolini Block built in 1892 at a cost of $5,000. Work on the 2-story brick store began with the laying of the sewer in March 1891, although the building permit was not taken out until September, I892, the year of the buildings completion. Architect of the store was William Carrol I, who, with his father Henry G. Carrol I, practiced in Provo in the early I880’s before removing to Salt Lake City. The eleven room building was first occupied by Mr. Bertolini who had his real estate ‘office and residence there. Another original occupant of the main floor (which was divided into three independent stores) was E.A. Wolfe and Company Grocerys. Other occupants followed: Mr. Henry Lage (lagginni), a resident until 1906; Andrew J. Edgar Groceries, I899; Henry B. Wade, cigars, tobacco and fruit, I907; Enrico de Francesco, proprietor of the Venice Cafe, an Italian-American restaurant, I9I5; Anthony Brajkovich and Nick Frisco, barbers, I9I9; Nicholas* Latsinos Cafe, I926; John Mincalli and Frank Scaglione, White Star Pool Hall, I927; Yoni Shiramizu, barber, I927; Felix Oriando, Cozy Barber Shop, I927; Lorenzo Silvio, organ grinder, I93I; John L. Zikovich, new owner, I94I; Tony Vlahiotis, barber, 1946; Sho-Fu-Do, wholesale confectionary, c. 1946; Ionian Restaurant, c. 1946; Anchor Inn, bar, barber and grocers, I964, presently occupy the building.

In short, Bertolini Block has always housed ethnic minority businesses and continues to represent the relatively small but significant multi-ethnic presence in western Salt Lake City.