Monica Dennis, Author at cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

There’s no two ways about it: this year has been a wild one. And as summer is in full swing (and COVID also appears to still be in full swing), we’re finding folks are having to get just a little more creative when it comes to finding fun, “pandemic appropriate” activities (and yes, that still feels weird to say). As we’ve got a few new homes for sale* in the Holladay area, we’ve recently found ourselves spending a bit more time in this southerly ‘hood. And, in the interest of passing on some good insider info we’ve picked up along these streets, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite places to visit for takeout/COVID-modified activities in Holladay Village.

SOHO FOOD PARK: This Holladay staple regularly rotates appearances by some of our favorite local businesses, including Freshies Lobster Co, Bomb Dilla, and Yoshi’s. Check out the park’s Facebook page for a regularly updated calendar of vendors. Click here for more info.

CAPUTO’S: Apart from their amazing selection of fresh deli eats (available for takeout, delivery, and distanced dine-in), one of SLC’s favorite delis is offering workshops wherein locals can learn about specialty cheese and get familiar with the different food preferences of cultures throughout Europe. Armchair travel, here we come! Book your seat here.

3 CUPS: This Holladay roaster is still serving up some of our favorite bean-based beverages (both takeout and patio dining are available), but 3 Cups has also started up a series of workshops—all with COVID precautions like temp-taking and distanced seating in place. The next scheduled class incorporates a mindfulness practice for connecting with plants to evoke creativity while bringing natural beauty into your space (and couldn’t we all use a bit more of that right now?). Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates on upcoming classes. Click here for more info.

HARMON’S HOLLADAY: This southerly staple offers a slew of “to go” snacks and meals that make the perfect addition to any hike or park-side picnic. You can also check out the Harmon’s blog for lots of helpful info about nutrition and easily packable snack ideas for all manner of outdoor adventures. Click here for more info.

*BONUS: If living within steps of all the aforementioned goodness sounds enticing to you, we suggest taking a peek at some of our available homes in the Holladay neighborhood right here.

When our clients-turned-friends invited us over to enjoy the remarkable rooftop patio at their fantastic Holladay Condo, we were quick to accept…

The unit itself is perfect for weekend breakfast, but the rooftop opens up another realm of at-home-brunching possibilities. Mimosas and breakfast donuts were the order of the day, but it’s worth noting that any-and-all gatherings would be made better by this spot: sizable enough for a big bash but the perfect setting to take in a quiet sunrise. With panoramic views of the entire Salt Lake valley, we think this place makes entirely the perfect spot to kick back with your people.

Better still, this place is entirely available.
Click here to see the listing!

We’re always thrilled to see the rad spaces that people have created throughout our city, but get even more excited at the prospect of spending time with said folks. Consequently, when a few of us popped over to this Aztec unit (currently on the market), it was as much about spending some quality client time as it was about appreciating one of SLC’s finest mid-century condo buildings. The home itself is west facing meaning that its sunset views are practically unbeatable and, thanks to a smartly placed wall of sliding glass doors, you’re able to enjoy your perch-like-position above the city whether you’re inside or out. Plus, the generously sized balcony is both a rarity for SLC and a wonderfully conducive place for snacking, sipping, and conversing while taking it all in.

Contact Monica Dennis at 801.623.9422 for additional details.

Last week, in an effort to see just how sweet terrace living can get, we swung by the Bonneville for some bites and drinks with this gorgeous unit’s current occupants (and our COLLECTIVE pals). After some ample outdoor relaxation, we’re convinced that this might be one of the finest places to entertain in the entire city. The smartly updated kitchen opens up to the main living area which, in turn, connects to a ridiculously pleasant and well-proportioned patio via floor-to-ceiling glass doors, meaning guests can flit between splendid interior space and idyllic outdoor space with ease. And, the whole thing is East facing, ensuring that mountain views are always available and blazing sunset heat (a common plague of SLC condos) is altogether nonexistent.

All told, we can’t think of a better place to unwind…

Click here to view the full listing.

While we’ll always go head over heels for a well-designed space on its own, we especially love a thoughtful overhaul completed by fabulous client pals. This particular mid-century peach, located in a charming Ensign Downs ‘hood, hadn’t been touched since its construction in 1962—making it the perfect palette upon which to reconfigure, redesign, and make better use of the bones. The current owners teamed up with friends of the COLLECTIVE Lloyd Architects to open up the floor plan, maximize those views, a create a clean, modern space.

In order to send them off in a style worthy of the space, we grabbed some eats and drinks and headed over to take in the sparkling cityscape (aaaaand play in that backyard oasis). And, while we wish we had more time for summer hands before they embark on their next adventure…

we’re happy to wish them on their way—and welcome the next folks home.

As history tells us, spaces that break from convention often have the most lasting, profound impact on their inhabitants. We’re listing one such spot in the very near future. This updated mid-century home represents the very best of the architectural era in which it was built, but the solar earthwork garden and accompanying 40-person-capacity amphitheater in the backyard truly set these digs apart from the rest of the mid-mod pack. And, beyond the sculptural landscaping, the property also includes the water rights to a natural, underground spring.

this one is Goldsworthy meets Gropius in all the right ways and it’s hitting our site soon.

Contact Monica Dennis at 801.623.9422 for any inquiries.

When a client’s space is as perfectly perched as this one, it takes little more than a promise of some post-work wine and bites to get us into it any ol’ time. And as this one’s sat on South Temple—just a stone’s throw away from our very own HQ—a few of us were more than happy to take the short walk over for some good views and conversation.

The Bonneville Tower, designed by SLC architect M.E. Harris, is one of our favorite salty mainstays, and, while we’re admittedly a bit partial to South Temple, it’s also been nationally recognized as one of the American Planning Associations Greatest Streets in America. So, naturally we’re pretty smitten with this south-facing spot. These thoughtfully designed French balconies—ideal for taking in twilight city views all year long—were the perfect place to toast to our client pals and wish them on their way. And, while this was a farewell gathering of sorts, we happen to think this place would also beautifully host a housewarming party.

You bring the boxes. We’ll bring the bubbly…

Click here for full listing details.

On a fleeting Spring day not so long ago, a few of us took advantage of lingering daylight hours and popped by this uniquely historic Holladay home for a tour, a drink, and some serious backyarding…

The current owners took this project on as a labor of love, and they paid as much attention to restoring the historic details as they did to breathing new life into the space. While the openness of the kitchen/living/dining space is thanks to a recent addition, many of the original details—right down to the hardware—were painstakingly restored.

And, while we could have spent all afternoon in that beautifully bright interior, the enormous backyard beckoned, and we made our way outdoors for some sun (and perhaps a handstand competition). See, with a home this cared for, all that’s left for you to do is choose how you want to spend your afternoons.

Keep your eyes on the site for details to come…

As ardent admirers of all things local, we’re suckers for a good entrepreneurial success story. And, when said achievement comes at the hands of longstanding friends and clients – as is the case with SpaDAY – consider us truly elated. Initially a single spa in downtown SLC, the facials and exfoliants provided by owner Paulina Greeves prooved popular enough to warrant some new digs in the center of 9th & 9th. Safe to say, the second spot is a welcome extension of the original.

Beyond the roster of stellar treatments, the vibes here are clean and uncluttered but also remarkably cozy. Filled with soothing tones and plenty of natural light, Paulina and her father Don Brady (of Don Brady Design) have created a space that has an undeniably soothing quality to it. Plus, all of the services offered by SpaDAY are both conceived and carried out with fastidious attention to detail. Go for the signature glow ’n’ go facial, stay for the abundance of quality products and the oh-so-cushy pedicure corner.

In other words, treat yo’ self.

In the interest of taking advantage of sunrise views, morning light, and a recently freshened-up space, a few of us took a trip up South Temple to one of our favorite units in one of our favorite buildings: The Bonneville Tower. The east-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows keep the connected living and kitchen areas bathed in a welcome wash of natural light, and we think the space is the perfect one in which to recharge as you sip whatever you see fit. This particular unit has an open, airy, and loft-like feel we love, and it’s all thanks to the modern concrete floors, and crisp, white paint. See, we’ve long been believers in loving where you live, and we think this South Temple perch is apt to make it your mantra, too.

Click here for full listing information.