The Sweetwater Lift Lodge near the base of the Park City Mountain Resort occupies a building with a lot of Park City history. Think Architecture and its interior design section (Lauren Weaver, project designer) just completed a fresh update that modernizes while still savoring Park City’s rugged mining town history. 

The opening shot of the reception desk demonstrates how the reflected white color keeps the space well lit. The light fixtures and reclaimed wood (ReSAWN TIMBER Co.) root the design in the mining past with a touch of modern in the reception desk design. 

The lobby is designed as a lounge for guests to relax and meet up before heading out. The furnishings emphasize ease, comfort and mountain durability. The fireplace anchoring the seating area shown in the foreground of the first shot and the second shot echoes history. 

Sweetwater Lift Lodge
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

The breakfast area is just off the front lounge. The bench seating with the backrest anchored by leather straps begged to be tried out. I can attest: very, very comfortable. Along the back wall is workspace with a counter, stools and power. Anymore, there’s no getting away from work for some, not even on a Park City mountain bike vacation. 

Photo by Scot Zimmerman

The hall to the rear of the breakfast area connects to the rooms. Casual seating offers another place for a group to assemble. 

Sweetwater Lift Lodge
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

A second lounge area runs along the other wall. This one features a more modern concrete fireplace.

Sweetwater Lift Lodge
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

The design furthers its sense of place with artwork selections. While I was there making photos, guests were drawn to the ski themes and to the contoured topo map created by an artist in Australia. 

I said at the beginning that this building has a lot of Park City history, and I will share a snippet from my memory of being an early ski-hire in the 1960s. Upstairs was a club called the C’est Bon, and the starring entertainer was exotic dancer Shirley Price, known as the Duchess. She drew quite a following and her husband, a local police officer, cast a protective shadow and kept the peace.  


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