The Asher Adams, an adaptive-reuse project that will turn the 1908 Union Pacific Depot into a 225-room member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is set to open on Oct. 31. Alongside the restoration of the historic railroad passenger station, Asher Adams will include a new eight-story guestroom tower, a charcoal-inspired New American restaurant, a market and coffee shop, three bars, a fitness center and five meeting and event spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Named after John R. Asher and George H. Adams, the first cartographers to depict railroad routes, the property has views of the surrounding city and Wasatch Mountain Range and is close to entertainment venues and outdoor attractions.
“We’re proud to make history, debuting Salt Lake City’s first Autograph Collection hotel and joining the brand’s growing portfolio of independent properties as well as the Marriott Bonvoy family,” Niels Vuijsters, the property’s general manager, said in a statement. “This highly anticipated property will offer elevated dining concepts and best-in-class service, along with a stunning reintroduction of the beloved Union Pacific Depot building. The intentional adaptive reuse project marries original elements with modern fixtures seamlessly. Just steps away from the city center, and countless professional sports games, concerts, and cultural events that are the heartbeat of the state, we hope it will be a place for locals and visitors alike to gather, celebrate and enjoy the growing modern culture of Salt Lake City.”
History and Modern Style
Hospitality development company The Athens Group and commercial real estate and hospitality development firm Hatteras Sky turned the former Union Pacific Depot, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, into contemporary hotel that celebrates the heritage of American Railroads. The adaptive-reuse project preserved the train station’s French Second Empire architecture while updating the interiors. The team restored the stained-glass windows, terrazzo floors and vintage Utah-inspired artwork and oil-on-canvas murals. Work from contemporary artists also is on display.
Accommodations
The hotel’s 225 guestrooms and suites evoke train travel with curated design touches. The 13 suites have a mixture of exposed brick and picture-frame wall molding, large soaking tubs and bright subway tiles. The new guestrooms in the eight-story tower behind the historic Depot building celebrate the history of Salt Lake City, the Union Pacific Depot Building and train travel of The West. Additional suites and accommodation types make use of the buildings’ original French Second Empire dormers and preserved round windows.
Food and Beverage
Asher Adams will have several food and beverage venues. As a nod to train travel dining, the property’s restaurants and bars are all inspired by dining cars.
Rouser will serve New American fare with an open kitchen as its main focal point, offering tableside elements on select dishes and cocktails. Inspired by the coal-fueled train engines, the kitchen’s Josper grill, oven and rotisserie will run off charcoal.
No. 119 will be an upscale whiskey-forward bar on the second floor overlooking the Grand Hall. It will include The Gandy Dancer, a vinyl lounge with a selection of 2,500 records sourced by a professional music designer. The bar has windows looking out to the city and rail line running up North Temple.
The Bar at Asher Adams will host events (both private and public) and tastings. Counterpart will serve artisanal coffee and fresh pastries.
Meeting and Event Spaces
The property will have 10,000 square feet of meeting space and an additional 10,000 square feet of venues for social events. Venues will have floor-to-ceiling windows to provide natural light. Each room is named after notable train engines and railroad terms that acknowledge the history of the Union Pacific Depot building and impact on Salt Lake City.
Located across from The Delta Center, Asher Adams is within walking distance of Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club gamess. The hotel is a short drive to Sundance Film Festival theaters and blocks from Abravanel Hall and The Museum of Contemporary Art.