SLC Tech: Relocations, Redevelopments, Revitalizations, OH MY! (Part 1 of 2)

In 1968, University of Utah Research Park was established to encourage graduates to stay in Salt Lake City by providing easy access to quality research employment, as well as promote state economic growth. Since that time, it has more than delivered!

Fast forward to the 1980s and the launch of Sarcos, a bioengineering research company founded and headquartered in Research Park. Since its establishment, the institution has evolved into a world-renowned robotics and microelectromechanical tech development company. Said in plain English, they build high-tech robotics! 

As growth and business plans shift, so do space requirements, which was the case with Sarcos, recently moving their headquarters to INDUSTRY in Salt Lake City’s Granary District. An intriguing move, I had the chance to chat and get further insight with Jason Winkler, co-founder of INDUSTRY. 

Why the move?

Several years ago, Sarcos came under new leadership, with a new vision for company growth, specializing in defense work. Projects of this type are often recognized for public use, an opportunity Sarcos grabbed. The commercial application quickly grew new lines of business, spurring the need for more employees, space, and manufacturing. The latter of which Research Park was not zoned for, nor could Sarcos expand in their current building. 

Cue the search for new headquarters and choosing INDUSTRY. Besides being a progressive, innovative modern office; sprinkled with urban living, dining, and premium lifestyle, why did Sarcos ultimately choose INDUSTRY?

"INDUSTRY's aesthetics are one thing, which is huge when recruiting and retaining top talent. Of more importance was the space to grow and manufacture in a properly zoned area in downtown Salt Lake City, just 5 miles from the University of Utah (the U)," said Winkler. "Sarcos is a great long-term user for many reasons: 1) It’s a pipeline for graduates from the U, 2) Work-life balance is available in SLC to attract talent from out-of-town, and 3) This is not a boom or bust job sector, it's sustainable and consistent.”  

Is this a trend?

Sarcos’s move to INDUSTRY was the first big deal to come out of Research Park. Considering Salt Lake City’s recent increased activity in the biotech and life sciences sector it’s fair to wonder, is this the first move of more?

Though not a biotech or life sciences company, Winkler referenced the Zappos study around “collisions” to determine where office buildings, parking garages, restaurants, housing, and parks should be situated to maximize random “collisions.” “That same concept is applied at INDUSTRY. A good ecosystem outside of business in the office is necessary. Something currently not available at Research Park,” added Winkler.  

“Research Park is a great incubator for ideas that spin out of the U. As those ideas grow, you’ll see more moves like Sarcos,” said Winkler. “Biotech and life sciences, in general, need a community to be part of. This community exists in downtown Salt Lake City and offers great ‘bumpability’ and ‘collisions.’”

“Adobe was a waterfall tenant in attracting tech to Utah. Sarcos can be seen as a waterfall tenant attracting other biotech and life science companies to downtown Salt Lake City, specifically the Granary District,” noted Winkler.

What does the future look like…now?

Winkler established INDUSTRY in Denver’s growing tech hub. I chatted with him in 2019 about his thoughts of Salt Lake City becoming a tech hub, to which he noted, “Salt Lake City is just scratching the surface.” 

Two years later, with exponential growth in the tech, biotech, life sciences, and medical manufacturing sector, I was curious where he now viewed Salt Lake City in its journey. “If two years ago we were just scratching the surface, today we can clearly see the tip of the iceberg, which is even more visible to people outside the state,” said Winkler, “things are still just getting started.”

Salt Lake City leaders have long had the vision, but they have stayed on the fringes. “Bringing that vision to reality has taken a combination of locals with historical and market knowledge, and outsiders who see the bigger picture,” said Winkler. “INDUSTRY is a portion of the redevelopment of the Granary District and surrounding area. The vision and thoughtful, intentional plan are much more expansive than many are aware of…what it will be.”