Steiner American Building (1967) – A Mid-Century Modern Icon in Salt Lake City
Tucked into South Temple at 505 E, the Steiner American Building is a masterclass in mid-century modern design with Wrightian influences. Designed by architect William “Bill” Browning, this L-shaped, two-story structure is a rare Utah example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian principles blended with early Deconstructivism.
Architectural Highlights:
- Cocoa-colored brick façade in a unique vertical running bond pattern, creating a striking texture.
- Full-height recessed storefront windows emphasize transparency and light.
- Floating precast concrete canopies extend dramatically beyond the building’s edges.
- A bold stair tower, seemingly detached from the main structure, adds a deconstructivist element.
- Japanese maple and remnants of the original Karsten Hansen landscape soften the modernist lines.
Built during South Temple’s transformation from a residential boulevard to a commercial hub, the Steiner American Building carefully balances modernist ideals with the area’s historical context. Though it’s classified as non-contributing to the South Temple Historic District due to its later construction date, the building remains one of Browning’s most intact works—a rare and valuable piece of Utah’s architectural history.
The above text is by preservationutah, the building is located at 505 East South Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
