Asher Adams, Autograph Collection A Historic Train Depot Transformed into a Landmark Hotel 

The Challenge

The Asher Adams adaptive reuse project endeavored to transform Salt Lake City’s historic 1908 Union Pacific Depot into a dynamic hospitality destination. The depot, while well preserved, was undersized for a hotel program and partially occupied by a popular music venue. The remaining site was constrained by public easements that warranted public access through and around the historic building, including its entire Grand Hall. Alterations and additions to the depot were subject to local historic and development design guidelines. HKS was challenged to design an addition to a cultural and architectural landmark while maintaining the structure’s integrity as the centerpiece of both the new hotel and the larger Salt Lake City community.

The Design Solution

The Asher Adams project carefully balances preservation with contemporary design. The design honors the Union Pacific Depot’s history and introduces a sophisticated, complementary addition, to create an authentic hospitality experience rooted in the depot’s heritage and sense of place. The project incorporates approximately 45,000 square feet of the historic depot, restoring the building’s original character and seamlessly integrating a modern, eight-story guestroom tower.

Drawing inspiration from the historic grand hotel lobbies that were the social spheres of their communities, HKS converted the depot’s Grand Hall into the hotel lobby, reinforcing its role as a welcoming gathering place for travelers and locals. Food and beverage outlets and meeting spaces activate this space, making it the vibrant heart of the hotel. Original light fixtures, tiles, moldings, murals and stained-glass windows are meticulously restored and modern comforts, such as power accessibility and acoustic enhancements, are carefully integrated into the century-old structure. The station’s south wing is also preserved, with its upper levels converted into 13 signature hotel suites featuring large historic windows and generous ceiling heights.

The guestroom addition has a refined, understated design that ensures the historic station remains the focal point. The addition’s curvilinear form responds to the shape of neighboring buildings and separates the guestroom tower from the Union Pacific Depot. The new tower’s form creates efficient, double-loaded guestroom floors to provide the density required to make the project feasible. Thoughtfully designed to maximize space on a constrained site, the addition features deep window recesses that cast dynamic shadows, echoing the Second French Empire architectural style of the Union Pacific Depot’s façade. The result is a striking balance between heritage and modernity.  

The outdoor space west of the historic Grand Hall maintains the existing pedestrian connection to a neighboring mixed-use development and features a vibrant landscaped courtyard with trees and shaded outdoor seating. This courtyard connects with the hotel’s Grand Hall and meeting areas to create a fluid indoor-outdoor experience. The design enhances the community environment and fulfills the original vision of the Union Pacific Depot as a public amenity and gathering place. 

The Design Impact

The Asher Adams project restored the Union Pacific Depot’s significance as a vibrant public space in Salt Lake City and created a unique hospitality destination. The adaptive reuse project preserved a local and national architectural landmark. As part of the Autograph Collection, Asher Adams joins Marriott’s exclusive portfolio of independent hotels that provide authentic guest experiences rooted in local history, context and culture.

On an urban scale, Asher Adams serves as a central hub of entertainment and activity in Salt Lake City, catalyzing ongoing revitalization efforts and future development at a key transit-oriented location. The hotel sits along a light rail line near Salt Lake City’s international airport, convention center and downtown core. Situated in the heart of the city’s Gateway District and adjacent to the home of local NBA and NHL franchises, the hotel creates a pedestrian link between a major mixed-used development and a planned sports entertainment district. The project animates this major pedestrian axis through a series of intimate and engaging urban spaces that are open to the entire community.