There are new developments going up everywhere in the Salt Lake Valley and in Utah County, and it's because so many people are moving here and wanting homes. The Point, the massive redevelopment of the old Utah State Prison site in Draper, is the biggest example of that growth at the south end of the valley. More housing in Draper, more at the Point of the Mountain, and more connection between Salt Lake County and Utah County? I'm all for it. Let's do it. I've written before about when The Point will actually add for sale homes to Draper's housing supply, and the short answer is that it'll be a while. This post is about something different. What will it be like to live near The Point, what's coming, and who should be excited about it?
What The Point Is
The Point covers roughly 600 acres on the former state prison site near Point of the Mountain, right where Salt Lake County meets Utah County. The state created it to be a walkable district with homes, jobs, entertainment, parks, and research space, all built around the idea that you could get most of what you need within a short walk.
The first phase broke ground on June 29, 2026. It covers a 104 acre downtown district, and the people behind the project have said the full buildout could take around 10 years. The first buildings, public spaces, and anchors are expected to open around 2028.
What's Coming in the First Phase
The first phase includes a lot of the big draws. The Mountain America Events Center is planned as a 5,200 seat venue for concerts, sports, and community events. The Promenade is planned as a 2,000 foot walkable street meant to be the social center of the district, lined with shops and restaurants. Chroma is a 363 unit residential building with retail on the ground floor. And Convergence Hall is planned as the home of the Nucleus Institute, focused on research and innovation.
There's also a planned trail running from the river to the mountains, connecting the district to the larger trail network. And the second phase is expected to include a University of Utah medical campus, which could bring a big boost in healthcare access and jobs to the south end of the valley.
How It Could Change Daily Life Around Draper
For people living in Draper, Bluffdale, Lehi, and the surrounding areas, The Point could mean having a real destination close to home. Concerts and events without driving downtown. A walkable place to eat, shop, and hang out. More healthcare options with a University of Utah campus nearby. More jobs close by instead of a long commute.
It also helps tie the two counties together. Point of the Mountain has long been a bit of a dividing line between Salt Lake County and Utah County. With The Point, more of Silicon Slopes in Lehi, and growth on both sides, that area is turning into a center of its own. For people who work on one side and live on the other, that's a big deal.
Who Should Be Excited
If you love having things to do close to home, The Point is going to be exciting. Buyers who want access to events, restaurants, and walkable spaces without heading into Salt Lake City will have a new option in their backyard. People who work in tech, research, or healthcare may find more job opportunities nearby. And buyers who like the idea of living near a growing area, with the potential for more amenities and services over time, may see The Point as a long term plus.
Investors and buyers thinking long term may also be interested, since major new developments can draw more people and businesses to an area over time. Just remember that it's a long project, and the benefits will roll out gradually.
Who Should Think Twice
Not everyone will love it. If you moved to Draper for a quieter, more rural feel, more people and more activity nearby may not be what you want. Big developments come with years of construction, road work, and traffic changes. Event nights at a 5,200 seat venue could bring more traffic to nearby roads.
It's also important to be realistic about timing. The first openings are expected around 2028, with the full buildout taking years beyond that. Transit plans, like a light rail connection between Draper and Lehi, don't have firm funded dates yet. If a listing is selling a home based on being "near The Point," take that with a grain of salt and think about what the area will look like in the years you'll actually live there.
What It Means for Buyers Right Now
If you're buying in Draper today, The Point can be one factor in your decision, but it shouldn't be the only one. Focus on the home, the neighborhood, the schools, the commute, and the price as they are now. Then think of The Point as a potential bonus that could make the area even more appealing over time.
If you're curious about how specific neighborhoods might be affected, let's talk. Proximity, traffic routes, and timing all matter, and they can vary a lot depending on which part of Draper you're looking at.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Point in Draper, Utah?
The Point is a large redevelopment of the former Utah State Prison site in Draper, covering roughly 600 acres near Point of the Mountain. It's planned as a walkable, mixed use district with housing, jobs, entertainment, research space, and parks. The first phase broke ground on June 29, 2026, and includes a 104 acre downtown area with the Mountain America Events Center, a walkable street called The Promenade, a 363 unit residential building called Chroma, and Convergence Hall for the Nucleus Institute. A second phase is expected to include a University of Utah medical campus. The full buildout is expected to take around 10 years.
When will The Point open?
The first buildings, public spaces, and anchors at The Point are expected to start opening around 2028, after phase one broke ground in June 2026. The full project is expected to build out over roughly a decade, with different pieces opening at different times. Some elements, like for sale homes in later phases and transit connections such as a light rail link between Draper and Lehi, have longer or less certain timelines. If you're making a home buying decision based on The Point, plan for a gradual rollout rather than everything opening at once, and check the latest updates from the project as timelines can shift.
Will The Point increase home values in Draper?
It's possible over the long term, but no one can say for sure, and the effect will likely be gradual. Big developments that add jobs, amenities, and entertainment can make an area more desirable, which can support demand. At the same time, construction, traffic, and added housing supply can affect different neighborhoods in different ways. The first phase isn't expected to open until around 2028, so any impact will take time to show up. If you're buying in Draper, focus first on the home and neighborhood as they are today, and treat The Point as a potential long term bonus rather than a guaranteed boost.
What will be at the Mountain America Events Center at The Point?
The Mountain America Events Center is planned as a 5,200 seat venue in the first phase of The Point. It's designed to host concerts, sports, and community events, giving people at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley and in Utah County a major entertainment venue closer to home. It's expected to be one of the anchors of the district, alongside The Promenade, a walkable street with shops and restaurants. For nearby residents, it could mean more entertainment options without driving downtown, but also more traffic on event nights, which is worth considering if you're buying close by.
If you're thinking about buying in Draper and want to understand how The Point might affect a specific neighborhood, reach out. We'll talk through the timeline, the traffic, and what it really means for the home you're considering.
