0 Shares
Last Updated on: 4th September 2023, 11:06 am
Known for its young population, hip hangouts, and independent boutiques, thereâs no doubt that Sugar House has earned its reputation as one of the coolest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City. Itâs also one of the cityâs oldest communities. Sometimes written as Sugarhouse, itâs named for the sugar beet factory once located in the area and run by the Deseret Manufacturing Company. What is Sugar House known for today? A vibrant shopping scene, indie shops, breweries, galleries, and hip venues that make living in Sugar House, UT a point of pride.
If youâre planning on moving to Sugar House, you may be asking yourself: is Sugar House a good place to live and is it right for me? If you love to be near the center of the action, the answer is a resounding yes!
Table of Contents
Sugar House History
Sugar House is one of Salt Lakeâs oldest neighborhoods with a history dating to 1853, just 6 years after Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young first arrived in the valley. The new community was named Sugar House for the sugar beet fields and factory after a suggestion by Margaret McMeans Smoot, the wife of SLCâs mayor.
Just two years after it was settled, Sugar House became home to Sugar House Prison, the first state prison in Utah, which wasnât closed until 1951. The land became a high school and the 110-acre Sugar House Park, now one of the neighborhoodâs crown jewels. Living in Sugar House means enjoying sledding, walking, sports, and picnics at the park and its picturesque pond any time you like!
In 1911, Westminster College moved from downtown Salt Lake to Sugar House and laid the groundwork for the neighborhoodâs current young and hip reputation. The private college brings a youthful vitality to the neighborhood while improvements over the last two decades have contributed to Sugar Houseâs reputation for independent boutiques and trendy hangouts.
The âSugar Holeâ area of 2100 South and Highland Drive was barren for years after the recession but itâs finally been revitalized with the Sugar House Crossing development. The new S-Line (formerly the Sugar House Streetcar) opened in 2013 to connect Sugar Houseâs business district with South Salt Lake and the Central Pointe TRAX station. The line brings thousands through the area today and makes it easier for people throughout Salt Lake City to enjoy everything that Sugar House has to offer.
Today, Sugar House is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Salt Lake City!
Sugar House, UT Location & Transportation
Sugar House is in the 84105 and 84106 zip codes in Salt Lake City. As part of SLCâs grid system, the boundaries of Sugar House are from 500 East to Foothill Drive and between 1300 South to the Salt Lake city limits around 3000 South. Still, many businesses and residential streets just outside of these boundaries use the Sugar House name. Sugar Houseâs commercial center is near 1100 East 2100 South at the north end of Highland Drive.
Sugar House itself is south of downtown Salt Lake City. Itâs bordered by South Salt Lake to the west, and the neighborhood East Millcreek and the city ofMillcreek to the south. The Wasatch mountains define the neighborhoodâs eastern border.
If youâre moving to Sugar House, youâll want to know how to get around and the quality of the local public transit, especially if you plan on living in Sugar House without relying on a car. If you work in Salt Lake City or South Salt Lake, youâll find it easy to get around using the S-Line. One of the busiest bus routes is route 21, operated by the Utah Transit Authority, which runs down 2100 South through Sugar House.
View this post on Instagram
If youâre driving, you can catch I-80 which runs through Sugar House and connects to I-15 to take you to downtown Salt Lake City, a short 7-mile drive away. Hereâs what the commute from Sugar House to downtown SLC looks like.
The Sugar House Culture: Salt Lakeâs Trendiest Neighborhood
Whatâs living in Sugar House like? Will you have neighbors with similar hobbies and interests? Thatâs probably a big concern as you choose the right neighborhood for you.
The population of Sugar House is 35,000 compared to Salt Lakeâs overall population of 200,000 but itâs more densely populated than many neighborhoods. Thanks to Westminster College, Sugar House draws in a younger population but the average age in the neighborhood is still a bit older than SLCâs average at 34 years old. Your neighbors will be a mix of Westminster College and University of Utah students, long-time residents, and young families with a great deal of diversity.
View this post on Instagram
The Sugar House lifestyle can best be summed up as active and fun-loving. The neighborhoodâs walkable layout means it isnât uncommon to see your neighbors jogging, cycling, or strolling by at all hours of the day. Itâs a popular past-time to stroll along boutique-lined streets, stopping in for a cocktail, walking down the street for dinner, and enjoying a bit of shopping. Sugar House is known for its exciting nightlife with fun clubs, cocktail bars, and lounges. Youâll also be just 20 minutes from some of the areaâs best ski resorts and many Sugar House residents take advantage of that convenience with frequent skiing trips.
Living, Shopping & Eating in Sugar House: Top Things to Do
If youâre relocating to Sugar House, Utah, be prepared for staying busy. As one of the hippest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, thereâs always something to see and do with interesting shops, award-winning restaurants, and fun attractions.
Ready to explore the best restaurants in Sugar House? The Dodo Restaurant at Sugar House Park has been a community staple since 1981 with an upscale yet casual environment with classics like honey-baked salmon and chilled Asian chicken pasta. For something a little different, try Spitz Sugarhouse for Mediterranean street food. Sugar House BBQ, another neighborhood staple, is the only place youâll ever want to go for Memphis style BBQ!
When youâre ready to hit the town, youâll find no shortage of trendy bars and comfortable lounges thatâll become your regular hangouts. Campfire Lounge, a dog-friendly hangout complete with fire pits, delivers the nostalgia of summer camping with friends while Club Karamba is the place to be to dance the night away to Latin music.
View this post on Instagram
Ready to explore some of the best Sugar House attractions and fun things to do in Sugar House when the weather is warm? One of the hidden gems of Sugar House is Hidden Hollow, a serene protected area beside a creek hidden away from the hustle and bustle. Across the street, youâll find Sugar Houseâs most famous green space: Sugar House, a scenic destination perfect for long walks, picnics, and sports.
Towering over the neighborhood youâll also find Sugar House Monument. Erected in 1930, the 50-foot obelisk sits on the site of the original pioneer sugar mill as a testament to the hard work the pioneers put into the valley.
During the hot summer days, youâll love visiting the Fairmont Aquatic Center, one of the best things to do in Sugar House for families with summer camps, martial arts, gymnastics, and, of course, swimming!
Of course, no discussion of Sugar House is complete without mentioning shopping. Sugar House is SLCâs shopping center and home to tons of locally owned, independent shops. The Central Book Exchange is an independent used book store founded in 1968 and a Sugar House landmark. The Doused Shop is the place to go for great finds in menâs wear while Guthrie Bicycle is the top local bicycle shop founded in 1888!
Hereâs where to find EVERYTHING in Sugar House Utah:
- The Dodo Restaurant, 1355 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 (801) 486-2473
- Spitz Sugarhouse, 1201 Wilmington Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (385) 322-1140
- Sugarhouse BBQ, 880 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 463-4800
- Campfire Lounge, 837 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 467-3325
- Club Karamba, 1051 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 696-0639
- Central Book Exchange, 2017 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 485-3913
- The Doused Shop, 1201 Wilmington Ave #105, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (385) 227-8397
- Guthrie Bicycle, 803 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 484-0404
- Hidden Hollow, 1229 E Wilmington Ave, Sugar House, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 972-7800
- Sugar House Monument, â1100 East and 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 535-7700
- Sugar House Park, 1330 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 467-1721
- Fairmont Aquatic Center, 1044 Sugarmont Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (385) 468-1540
Map of Sugar House UTAH
Sugar House, UT Real Estate for Renters & Buyers
As you consider moving to Sugar House, Utah, youâre probably interested in the local real estate market. Whether youâre renting or buying, youâre sure to fall in love with the neighborhoodâs mix of new luxury apartments and beautiful, historic homes.
As one of SLCâs oldest neighborhoods, Sugar House is home to many bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s. Homes in this community are known for their old-world charm and architectural details like arched doorways and handcrafted built-ins. Pride of ownership really shows along the mature, tree-lined streets with homes carefully maintained and gardens blooming.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Nicole Edwards, Utah Realtor (@beehivehomecollective) on
The average home price in Sugar House is $464,000, higher than many areas of Salt Lake The average price per square foot is $244, according to Redfin. With this budget, you can likely afford a 3-bedroom home under 2,000 square feet.
According to RentCafe, rent in Sugar House, UT ranges from $700 to $900 for studio apartments to $900 to $1,300 for 2-bedroom homes. Thereâs a huge range thanks to a growing number of new apartment complexes like The Vue, a large and high-priced complex at the new Sugar House Crossing, and Sugar Alley, a 186-unit development coming in 2020.
No matter where you settle, youâll be within the Salt Lake City School District and served by Highland High School which is next to Sugar House Park with more than 1,500 students.
Now that you see everything that Sugar House has to offer, are you ready for moving to Sugar House and making it your home? Call the trusted Sugar House movers at Wasatch Moving Company today for a free moving estimate to get started.