The University of Utah shared receipt of Preservation Utah’s Rehabilitation and Restoration Award for the successful restoration of Fort Douglas Buildings 661, 662 and 663.

The three buildings were built in 1891 to provide family housing for skilled Army non-commissioned officers. At Fort Douglas, these homes were assigned to the Quartermaster, Ordnance and Commissary Sergeants, who were responsible for supplies, equipment and daily operations.

In September of 2020, a windstorm damaged the exterior siding of the buildings, revealing original cladding materials. The resulting efforts to reclad damaged exteriors and replace windows eventually became a much more comprehensive restoration project. The buildings had lost many of their original decorative features over time: the curved detail on the second-floor shingles had been removed, corbels were covered or gone and much of the wood trim on the fronts and roofs was stripped away. These elements were carefully restored using salvaged pieces and inspiration from old photos dating as far back as 1900. Old aluminum windows from the 1970s were replaced with new ones to match the original style. All three porches were rebuilt with historically accurate wood columns, railings and brackets. Exterior paint colors were restored based on traces of the original paint found on the buildings.

Today, these distinguished buildings closely resemble their original 1891 appearance, with restored shingles, trim, porches, windows and historically accurate paint. In addition to the restoration work, all three buildings have been strengthened with modern structural, seismic, and energy upgrades to contribute to long-term viability beyond their turn-of-the-century design. Special thanks to John Atkins, Adam Wyatt and Paul Quist for their dedication to this project and the crucial roles they played in ensuring its success.

Beginning June 1, all three homes will be available for rent. Information regarding rental to faculty, staff and post-doctoral students can be found by sending an email inquiry to info@apartments.utah.edu.

To learn more about this award, the buildings’ histories and the restoration process, visit Restoration Utah.