PJ Builders Revives Centennial

The Centennial Building, freestanding in Old Town, has been resurrected by PJ Builders, a contractor whose logo hangs over the fence of the project. Their claim—safety, responsibility, respect—sounds too much like a press release, not a profitable venture. The structure’s raw, oxidized copper façade, planned to mirror the historic glass of adjacent blocks, will likely only attract a niche of architectural aficionados, not the mass of affluent skiers Park City seeks. ROI hinges on leasing to boutique retailers, yet the street level view is marred by stone quarry scars and an inexplicably cluttered lobby. The state and city officials, probably the Park City Planning Commission, have handed over the green light, but any oversight will obstruct quantum gains. In short, the restoration tastes like nostalgia with a side of sunk cost. As a reluctant investor, I would advise to sell the affiliation, not buy the passion, and definitely sue the HOA for obstructing any other profitable development.