Here's how the 'urban core' development, Utah City, is shaping up

VINEYARD — The first phase of a 700-acre "urban core" development in Vineyard, aimed at creating a community of "holistic wellness," is beginning to open.

Utah City was first announced in 2023 with plans to create the state's largest walkable, transit-oriented, mixed-use community focused on sustainability. When finished, Utah City will have five unique districts and more than 50 acres of parks and walking paths.

Built on the redevelopment site of the former Geneva Steel complex, Utah City is entering a "banner year" as amenities begin to open, according to its marketing director, Jacklyn Briggs.

"We want to do something big and special. If we're successful, then Utah is successful; that's why we named it Utah City. We want the best of Utah to be here," Briggs said.

Utah City has a walkable design with protected bike lanes throughout the whole property and narrower roads to create "slower, safer streets," Briggs said. The first two residential buildings opened within the last year and have more than 450 units ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom townhomes. Additional residential buildings are already well under construction.

"We're looking for our founding residents that believe in this big vision and want to be part of it. And we're just inviting everyone to check it out," Briggs said.

Because it is such a large property, the project had the opportunity to create its own district energy system using a geothermal loop, which will lead to 80% savings in carbon emissions. Investing in long-lasting materials for buildings also supports sustainability and longevity, Briggs added.

"They're building it as a legacy project. And they want to invest in timeless materials, so that it lasts, and it feels like something that we can all be proud of for a long time," she said.

In today's world, people are "thirsty for connection and interaction," and this community aims to provide that through amenities such as outdoor courtyards, communal lounges and kitchens, and gyms equipped entirely with Peloton equipment through a partnership with the exercise company.

"Being in person in this digital world is something that's really important too, because holistically, we know that connection is one of the most important parts of wellness. And so we wanted spaces that are naturally inviting, that people could come and know their neighbors," she said.

On the physical wellness side, Utah City provides outdoor workout classes and e-bike access for residents to use on the nearby trails. Developers broke ground on a wellness recovery center for the community, the Huntsman Cancer Institute is under construction and a racquet club will open this summer that has sport courts for tennis, pickleball and padel, a popular European sport.

"I love Utah so much ... but it is a missing piece — the missing piece of having something that's really connected, that's incredible, that's thoughtful," Briggs said. "That just, like, gives me all the motivation in the world to keep building that."

Because Utah has grown so fast, it unintentionally is missing "third spaces" where people can just exist together. Briggs didn't think Utah would ever have the chance to create something like this community and she is overjoyed seeing it come to life.

"Because we have 700 acres and not 30 acres, we can actually do something that has a big impact if we plan it correctly. (And) 2026 is an incredible year for momentum, and then it's just going to keep happening from there," Briggs said.

From the train to the lake

A central part of Utah City is a "12-acre connection piece" running from the Vineyard FrontRunner station to the shore of Utah Lake. The Greenline will be a series of parks and community spaces, including a waterfront area, a dog park, volleyball courts, a playground, a concert venue, and retail space right outside the train station.

While many FrontRunner stops are still about a mile away from the main city centers, the Greenline will immediately connect train passengers to the community, Briggs said. Additional road and pedestrian bridges will be constructed to connect residents to the waterfront area.

On Saturday, Utah City opened the Berliner Play Area, a whimsical all-abilities playground featuring a hot-air balloon structure kids can climb. Further east on the Greenline and opening in October will be a "micro retail concept" with 10 rotating retailers selling unique experience-based products.

"There's a lot of like copy-paste chains and we just really want to make sure that our experiences are curated," Briggs said. "So it has to be something that you could only get here."

Utah City will also open its first restaurant next month, Fini's Pizza and Cafe, located right next to the grocery store Bella's Market. Utah City will be the first official out-of-state location for the Brooklyn-based pizzeria.

Renowned for its pizza and community involvement, the restaurant will install a custom Fini Hoops basketball court right outside to continue its legacy of advocacy through community sports.

Briggs explained that cofounder Sean Feeney has always had an affinity for Utah ever since attending a basketball summer camp as a kid. When he heard about Utah City, he knew it would be the perfect place, she said.

"I've long said our first venture outside of New York would be Utah," Feeney said in a statement. "It may surprise people, but the state's family-first values, discipline and entrepreneurial spirit align perfectly with how we operate."

Throughout all of Utah City, the architecture and design were crucial because "the design, in our eyes, is an amenity," Briggs said.

"If spaces are beautiful, you feel really good, then that just elevates your everyday life."

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