If you caught my previous story about my three-day escape to Salt Lake City’s Maven District, I anticipate you’re on the edge of your seat, curious about what other gems the neighborhood, founded in 2017, has to offer. If not, I urge you to check out this post about the first part of my journey, in which I share an inside look into the block’s staffless hotel, Maven STAY, as well as the district’s exclusive dining and shopping options, with 85 percent led by female business owners.
Now, I’ll recap my experiences with Maven’s other one-of-a-kind offerings, like their creative workspaces, fitness and beauty contributions, and residential opportunities, otherwise known as Maven CREATE, Maven STRONG, Maven WELL, and Maven LIVE.
Maven CREATE
After learning more about the Maven team, it was no surprise that an opportunity to create was on the itinerary (Refer here for my recount of the ring-making workshop at The Land of Salt). They have an entire building dedicated to that with Maven CREATE, a remote coworking office space also located on the E 900 S block. I had the privilege of touring the property and spending some downtime working there during my stay, as did many others who frequently utilize the location.
They offer daily, monthly, and yearly passes for individuals seeking a quiet and comfortable workspace, separate from the often noisy coffee shops and other communal locations. They also offer long-term leases for private offices, enabling everyone to take advantage of the kitchen area, high-speed Wi-Fi, private phone booths, lockers and showers, a fireplace, and other amenities. Additionally, Maven CREATE regularly hosts outside events, including storytelling, brainstorming sessions, and even speed dating.
Interested guests can use the coworking space for free every Wednesday. Day passes and month-to-month memberships are also available.
Maven STRONG
Another incredible perk of the Maven District is its access to Maven STRONG, a fitness studio offering Pilates reformer classes, barre classes, and various workshops focusing on the mind and body. I tested out the studio with a complimentary stretch and foam rolling session led by Maven Co-Founder and CEO Tessa Arneson before touring the district. The instructor also led a sunrise yoga hike at Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which you can read more about in a separate post showcasing more of my Salt Lake City adventures.
The morning before my flight home, I partook in a beginner Pilates reformer class with Michael, who guided a group of us through gentle movements that were just the medicine we needed after a busy week and a long day ahead. The Saturday 8:00 a.m. class is always free upon registration, allowing those new to the studio or the class an opportunity to try it out.
Memberships and pricing are available on the Maven STRONG website, and classes can be booked via the MINDBODY app.
Maven WELL
The Maven STRONG building also houses many wellness and personal care businesses (dubbed Maven WELL), including hair studios, facial treatments, physical therapy, eyebrow waxing, and more. What stood out the most to me was a luxurious spa a short drive away called Glow, which I got to experience in its entirety one afternoon. The boutique is renowned for its restorative treatments, including its sauna and urban bathhouse, which offer a cleansing experience like no other.
I arrived at 3:00 p.m. and was immediately greeted by friendly front desk staff who outlined what to expect for the two-hour treatment and helped me select the body scrub and hydration treatment to my liking. I opted for the Salt & Sun, which included exfoliation from a peppermint and rosemary scrub topped with hydration from a soothing aloe vera gel.
Beforehand, I ventured into their pristine locker rooms, where I changed into my bathing suit and secured my belongings, including my phone, since the spa was an electronics-free zone. Afterward, I rinsed off in the showers as instructed and made my way to a serene area with a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, soaking bath, and a sunny outdoor patio available at my disposal. I was free to rotate among these amenities for the next 45 minutes until my body scrub appointment, at which point others, seemingly frequent visitors, also enjoyed them.
I spoke with one spa user who provided me with some pointers on coping with the freezing temperatures in the cold plunge, encouraging me to submerge my entire body in the water rather than using the one body part at a time method, which wasn’t working well. I eventually got my shoulders wet after a few attempts, but I admittedly didn’t last the recommended two to three minutes underwater.
I gravitated more toward the warmer amenities, particularly favoring the sauna, where I was suggested to spend 15 to 20 minutes basking in the heat and steam before cooling off in the cold plunge and continuing the cycle. I made several rounds, ending with another rinse in the shower before therapist Casey was ready for me in the treatment room.
I then felt like I had stepped into another world entirely as I lay face down on the massage table, and treatment began. This started with Casey pouring warm water over every inch of my body and then massaging the scrub, followed by aloe and frequent rinses of warm water in between. I reserved 30 minutes for this, but they also offer 60-minute sessions, which I wished I had by the end. My skin had never felt so smooth, energized, and refreshed, and I walked away in awe of what just transpired.
Afterward, I grilled Casey about the treatment, and he revealed that it is one of their more popular offerings, not recommended for any specific circumstance, but as a nice treat for oneself. He also shared that a majority of men favor the treatment, though both sexes enjoy it, and dry massages are also offered in another room. I left a generous tip for him at the front desk and went on my way, knowing that I would be dreaming about the experience for some time and wondering when I could come back.
Other options for the body scrub include Nectars of the Earth, involving a desert blossom brown sugar scrub blended with raw Utah honey, and the Green Goddess, consisting of lemongrass green tea salt scrub and freshwater seaweed gel. Functional bodywork is also offered, along with regular yoga, sound baths, breathwork, and meditation classes, as listed on their website.
Maven LIVE
While the list of offerings in the Maven District seems endless, we’ll cap it off with Maven LIVE, made up of multiple spacious residences throughout the block. This includes the Maven Lofts, which are currently leasing furnished and unfurnished one-bedroom units. Maven West is also accepting applications for one-bedroom apartments, and 25 townhomes sit along the E 900 S building, featuring two types of three-level luxury units: one at 1,600 square feet and the other at 1,220 square feet. Photos and additional information can be found on their websites.
Dozens of breathtaking murals adorn many of the buildings and shops, which Arneson explained during our tour, are created by young female artists. Each was asked to bring the district’s message of fostering community to life through elaborate artwork, and as you can see from the photos, they did not disappoint.
Departing Maven
It was a bittersweet feeling waking up on my final day in SLC. After taking the aforementioned morning Pilates class at Maven STRONG, I packed up my belongings for the 11:00 a.m. check-out, and the team graciously let me keep my bags in the downstairs office until I departed for the airport later that day. I was then free to explore the city.
But first, I took in one more piece of the Maven District. I dined at Skillets, an American-Venezuelan breakfast and lunch spot — formerly a food truck — that numerous people highly recommended throughout the week. I wasn’t surprised as City Weekly voted it 2024’s Best Breakfast Burrito in Utah, according to a sign out front. It was a quick walk from my hotel, and the crowds of people outside waiting for a table had me skeptical I’d get in. Luckily, there was plenty of room for one at the bar area, and I was seated right away.
My waitress, Claire, couldn’t have been more attentive (I ended up leaving her an appreciative Google review), and I bumped into one of the owners, Will Garcia-Kesler, who is also from my neck of the woods, New York. He runs the eatery with his partner Jorge, and we bonded over his insistence that a New Jersey staple, pork roll, be on the menu. I was pleased to see it on my plate upon ordering their signature Breakfast of Champions, which also included two scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, and a side of sourdough toast.
It was the fuel I needed for the morning, and I admired the other savory and some over-the-top dishes others got, like the Tower for Two, containing a multi-tier feast of practically everything on the menu from a waffle fondue, a sourdough toast sampler, fruits, eggs, meaty sides, and their famous green sauce. Other menu highlights included Cinnamon Crunch French Toast, the Breakfast Burrito, and multiple specialty Venezuelan skillets.
A few hours later, I was back in the SLC International Airport, waiting for my flight back to Baltimore, Maryland, rehashing the last few days in my head. I accomplished a great deal during the 72-hour trip, and a large portion of that time was spent in the Maven District. The memories I created will forever be etched in my mind, and I’m already bragging about it to my friends and family.
From the empowerment I felt being around strong female entrepreneurs to the energy and the support they share with one another, I can honestly say that SLC’s Maven District is something special. As they say, it’s a place to LIVE, STAY, STRONG, CREATE, and most importantly, it’s a place where bold women gather to dream and thrive.
If my stories inspired you to visit the Maven District, consider following their social media pages to stay in the loop on what’s happening in the neighborhood. I also encourage you to tune into the recently launched podcast Heart + Head Work, hosted by Tessa and Maven Co-Founder and CEO Rocky Donati, where they delve into achieving success, overcoming failure, and creating purpose-driven work.
