The Athens Group - Asher Adams

2025 Adaptive Reuse Awardee
Project Dates: July 21, 2022, to November 7, 2024
Building: Union Pacific Depot, 2 S 400 West Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Architect: Daniel James “D.J.” Patterson
Construction Date: between 1908 and 1909

Team Members

The Union Pacific Railroad Station, an iconic historic structure in Salt Lake City, has long been a key part of the city's transportation and architectural history. The station was completed in July 1909, following the completion of a new rail link between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles in 1905. This rail link provided a more direct and faster route for passengers and freight, saving over 400 miles of travel and connecting Salt Lake City to the Transcontinental Railroad. The new station transformed Salt Lake City into an important business and cultural hub.

Designed by architect Daniel James “D.J.” Paterson in the Second French Empire style, the station was initially called Union Station and served as a bustling transportation hub for passengers and freight. It remained in operation until the 1970s when Amtrak took over and moved operations to the nearby Rio Grande Station. In 1972, the station was designated a local landmark, ensuring its preservation for future generations, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

In the late 1990s, the station underwent a major restoration as part of the Gateway development. The north building wing was converted into the Depot entertainment venue, and the upper levels of the south wing were adapted for office space. However, after the opening of the City Creek Mall, Gateway experienced a rapid decline in activity, and the grand hall, although preserved, became underutilized.

The adaptive reuse of the building, led by HKS Architects, celebrates the station’s history while introducing a modern hospitality experience. The hotel incorporates 44,000 square feet of the existing historic structure, including the Grand Hall and the south wing, with the north wing continuing to operate as the Depot entertainment venue. The hotel’s new eight-story addition provides 225 guestrooms, including 13 specialty suites within the historic building. It features four food and beverage outlets, 8,400 square feet of meeting space, and a distinctive outdoor courtyard.

The new addition was designed to complement the historic station while maximizing the hotel program on a constrained site. The east façade of the new tower takes cues from the Second French Empire style of the historic building. In contrast, the west façade features a dynamic, faceted design that reduces solar gain and frames the active plaza of the surrounding mixed-use district. Inside, the design by JNS Architecture honors the station's industrious history while integrating modern design elements such as black metal accents, velvets, and leathers. The Grand Hall was carefully restored, with original murals, stained-glass windows, and decorative moldings preserved.

The project team used point cloud technology to scan the historic building, ensuring that the preservation of its key elements was integrated with the new design. Special care was taken to preserve the character of the original structure. At the same time, the radial design of the new guestroom tower allowed for a sensitive addition that maintained a separation from the historic building.

Asher Adams offers a distinctive experience that honors the Union Pacific Railroad Station's history while embracing a forward-thinking vision. This project is an example of adaptive reuse, transforming historic spaces into destinations that connect the past to the future.