The tower, to be wedged between two historic buildings at 222 S. Main, will attempt to blend in with a granite exterior and travertine paving in front. But, architects note, it also will feature low-lead, ultra-clear glass and an illuminated top to give the structure a "glowing" appearance.

The ground floor will include a retail element - it will be separated from the lobby by a fireplace - as well as a restaurant that developer Hamilton Partners is willing to subsidize.

Bruce Bingham, the principal for Hamilton, said he will work "aggressively" to land an eatery, which the city's Redevelopment Agency had requested to help change the capital's "ghost town" feel after 5 p.m.

Architects also have planned a plaza, complete with trees, to line the front of the building adjacent to the Hotel Monaco on the corner of 200 South and Main.

"We want this to be a welcoming oasis," Bingham told the City Council, sitting as the RDA Board.

Primary tenants will include a bank and financial-services company, while the majority of the high-rise will provide class A office space, which officials insist is sorely needed downtown.

But the design drew some criticism, particularly from Councilwoman Nancy Saxton who called it "basically, a square building."

In response, architect Robert McClintic defended its simplicity and praised the glass structure.

"This is a modernist building," he said, "and I don't think we want to apologize for that."

Bingham also challenged Saxton. He said the tower may not stand out in New York or Chicago, but it will in Salt Lake City.

Councilman Soren Simonsen, also an architect, said he saw no "fatal flaw" in the design, but suggested a canopy for the front.

The RDA Board approved the initial drawings Tuesday. But the city requested more information on parking, signage, potential light pollution and midblock access from 200 South.

Councilman Eric Jergensen called for the extra scrutiny, noting the tower is one of the most important buildings to come downtown in "probably a decade."

djensen@sltrib.com

Other RDA news

The board voted 7-0 to enter into an exclusive negotiation with a developer for a mixed-use project at 752 N. 300 West. Councilman Soren Simonsen criticized the design for being too suburban and not compatible with the Marmalade neighborhood. "It's a very odd building," he said.

The developer said he will remain flexible during the approval process the next six months.