PJ Demolishes Centennial

PJ Builders, with the assent of the Park City Planning Commission and state officials, is inching the Centennial Building toward a nervous restoration, the latest case study in Park City’s relentless pursuit of a pristine skyline. The century‑old salvaged timber and local limestone are replaced by engineered composite panels and fabricated oxidized copper bands, a nod to modernity that banks on a good resale margin rather than authenticity. ROI calculations, as presented to the board, promise a 12% lift over the next five years, contingent on the projected luxury condo uptick, yet the aesthetic debt remains: the new façade appears as a gritty patchwork, uncanny to the original 1920s stucco. The project, billed on its environmental stewardship, will likely attract a niche buyer pool looking for “heritage meets high‑tech.” If you’re after steady cash flow and enjoy watching historic brickers turn into novelty status, this is a purchase; if you prefer classic curb appeal, you should lament and prefer the old industry standard. Sell.