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THE MONARCH

The Monarch

CONNECT. INSPIRE. CREATE.

 

The Monarch is a collaborative environment where artists, creative businesses and makers of all types can connect, inspire and create together in the heart of Ogden’s Nine Rails Creative District. With the belief that creativity drives communities, we strive to provide the region with uniquely artful experiences through artist engagement, creative dining and memorable events.

Housed in an industrial parking garage from the 1920s, The Monarch’s historic architecture is balanced with modern design features to provide a unique urban backdrop for your creative studio, cozy dinner date or exclusive event.

MIGRATING MURAL

“MONARCH IN MODA”
JANE KIM, INK DWELL STUDIO, 2018 

Monarch in Moda, the mural on the Upper Deck, is what gave our building its name and sparked our identity as “The Monarch.” This artwork is part of the Migrating Mural project, a series of public artworks by Ink Dwell that highlight wildlife along migration corridors shared with people. The subject of this particular multilayer Migrating Mural campaign is the monarch butterfly, famous for its brilliant coloring, spectacular migration patterns and unique and transformational life cycle. Monarch in Moda is the sixth Monarch Migrating Mural, with other works in Arkansas, Florida, and California.  

This mural is one of three Monarch Migrating Murals in Ogden and represents a community-wide effort to promote public art in Northern Utah and steward-ship of the natural world. Six banners depicting the monarch’s life cycle hang seasonally at the Ogden Nature Center and another large mural can be found at Weber State University’s Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities.

Monarch in Moda was the first project of the O1ARTS WALLS initiative, which is dedicated to uniting artists and neighborhoods through a collaborative process, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.

 
Monarch - Migrating Mural
Monarch - Migrating Mural, street view
Monarch - Migrating Mural, street view
Monarch - Migrating Mural, street view

HISTORY

The Monarch’s industrial structure was built in 1929 as a full-service, enclosed parking garage for the neighboring Bigelow Hotel. At 60,000 square feet, it had the capacity for over 200 automobiles with ramps leading to multiple levels. Enclosed garages were common for the time, as early automobiles were less resilient to harsh weather and cold temperatures.  This is Ogden’s only surviving example of an enclosed garage; the development of these structures stopped shortly after World War II when ventilation became an increasing concern and parking structures became more open.

 

This historic significance along with the building’s unique architecture landed it on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. It was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by Leslie S. Hodgson, Ogden’s most ubiquitous architect of the era who also designed Peery Lofts, Ogden High School, Peery’s Egyptian Theater, the Bigelow Hotel, and more. Unique details from the original structure remain intact including an interior parking ramp, garage style doors and ornamented façade.

Over the years, the garage has been occupied by a variety of automobile-related businesses, restaurants, a nightclub, flower shop and more, until it was ultimately abandoned. In 2011, Fischer-Regan Enterprises purchased the building in its dilapidated state. Teaming up with Carbon Architects, Fischer developed a vision to restore this architectural gem while providing a socially valuable center for the arts in Ogden. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred April 2018 and The Monarch is set to open in June 2019.

Monarch’s historic significance
Monarch’s historic significance
Monarch’s historic significance
Monarch neighborhood

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

NINE RAILS CREATIVE DISTRICT

Ogden’s newest neighborhood aims to promote engagement through a variety of art forms, encompassing everything from visual art to architecture. The Monarch will be the creative heart of the Nine Rails, contributing to the city’s goal of providing a dedicated area for arts and culture to thrive.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE DISTRICT’S MASTER PLAN

NINE RAILS PODCAST

Don’t miss an episode of The Banyan Collective’s Nine Rails Arts Podcast, as hosts Todd Oberndorfer & R Brandon Long explore what it means to be an Adventurous Creative in Ogden. Hear stories from Nine Rails Creative District including those of artisans, designers & creatives in The Monarch building.

LISTEN HERE

Banyan Collective’s Nine Rails Arts Podcast
#WeCreateOgden - New Creative District in Ogden
#WeCreateOgden - New Creative District in Ogden

#WeCreateOgden

#wecreateogden is an opportunity to express your unique vision for our new Creative District in Ogden. Share your ideas and your craft by tagging photos showing how you live, create, and engage with the community.

 

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