In the 19th century, the Salt Lake City region in Utah earned its nickname, “Crossroads of the West,” as it served as a main hub for mining and travel. The region was the site of a massive technological feat at the time, the Transcontinental Railroad, completed by the iconic Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, about 40 miles north of the Great Salt Lake. And when a connecting line via the Utah Central Railroad was completed in 1870, running south from Ogden down to Salt Lake City as train transit was taking over the U.S., downtown Salt Lake City became more accessible than ever before. This made the city an ideal location to serve as home for the Union Pacific and Rio Grande Depots.
Photo: Asher Adams - Autograph Collection
This Upscale Hotel Revives Salt Lake City’s Grand Railroad History
Although transportation has changed a lot over the past 150 years, one of those depots, the historic 1908 Union Pacific Depot, is still used today — but for a much different purpose. This well-preserved space, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was renovated in the new millennium as an adaptive reuse project, serving as a shopping mall, restaurant hub, and music venue known as The Depot, which still hosts live music acts with 1,200 seats across two levels.
But perhaps the most anticipated element of this remarkable building’s transformation is the area that serves guests as a modern hotel boasting luxurious overnight accommodations in the heart of walkable downtown Salt Lake City. Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, is a sophisticated 225-room property (195 rooms and 35 luxury suites) keeping the spirit of travel alive in this landmark location. Since it’s historically protected, the building’s renovation required preserving its standing historical features, such as the stained-glass windows, gold foil, and tilework. Guests can also admire the original light fixtures, tiling, and molding. The newer amenity areas for the hotel were carefully constructed so as not to disturb its original architectural beauty. The property was named after cartographers John R. Asher and George H. Adams, who were the first to map the railroad routes — paying homage to the building’s origins.
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On-site ambiance at the Asher Adams
Photo: Asher Adams – Autograph Collection
Stepping into the lobby to check in for the evening nearly took my breath away due to the property’s timeless beauty. The lobby is inside the Grand Hall, which was a former waiting room for travelers (and still serves as a gathering place for guests and the community). The power of the vaulted ceilings feels stunning. The overhead oil-on-canvas mural, dubbed “Driving The Golden Spike,” was painted by San Francisco artist John MacQuarrie in 1909 and is an educational work of art, depicting the driving of the Golden Spike in 1869 just north of the city. I could’ve stared up at it for hours.
The sandstone-built building features awe-inspiring French Second Empire and artistic details such as a terrazzo floor, stone gargoyle carvings, and stained-glass windows. Off the lobby in a sort of dedicated “study” area with a cozy fireplace and plentiful seating, I admired the artwork, which included portraits of Asher Adams’ namesake cartographers and a statue of a railroad worker.
I arrived feeling pretty grubby after having just spent 8-plus hours in the car with my dog and an abundance of luggage. On route I’d only stopped at a highway gas station for some midway road trip sustenance. Still, I didn’t feel uncomfortable in this elegant setting while checking into the hotel. Despite being a high-end boutique, the hotel remains as approachable as its host city, welcoming travelers to come inside and experience the space’s history.
Asher Adams’ on-site accommodations and dining
Photo: Asher Adams – Autograph Collection
There are 13 suites located on the southern end of the original train station depot building. These rooms were carefully designed to preserve elements of the original facade, including exposed brick, refined moldings, polished subway tiles, and high ceilings — paired with modern comforts like a large soaking tub. Additional guest rooms are located in a newly constructed eight-story contemporary tower. Each room incorporates thoughtful design details that pay tribute to the building’s history, with interior design elements like brass accents and deep textures blended with warm color, making the spaces feel modern yet classic.
There are four dining venues on-site. Rouser serves American fare in a warm, neighborly-like setting that feels classy but approachable. I read that some of the gates from the original depot were reused within Rouser as a decorative touch, and I appreciated that historic detail. The Bar at Asher Adams, which I made sure to grab a cocktail at on the evening of my arrival, was worth the price of a drink just for the experience of lounging in this glamorous, grand room. I felt myself becoming immersed in the sophisticated aura of this storied architecture that has served so many visitors before me as a community gathering space.
The Bar is smack dab in the middle of the Grand Room, serving as a lavish setting for visitors and the community to grab a drink and share stories (just like back in its heyday!). The seasonally inspired cocktail menu was creative, and the accompanying bites menu was satisfying. I heard this space described as the “heartbeat of the property.” I agree – it’s a nice setting for anyone to linger — whether a basketball fan coming for a nightcap after a Utah Jazz game across the street, or another traveler making memories on-site, even if just briefly passing through. It emitted a vintage sort of chic mood, like if you were spending a few hours at this elegant train hall restaurant around the turn of the century.
Other on-site dining and drinking venues include No. 119, which I unfortunately did not get the chance to experience myself, but is self-described as an “upscale, whiskey-forward bar” named after the historic Union Pacific No. 119 Steam locomotive. Perched on the second floor, the bar overlooks the hotel’s Grand Hall with a large window showcasing views of Salt Lake City’s skyline. There’s also Counterpart, which calls itself a “modern interpretation of the train’s club car,” serving artisanal coffee, fresh pastries, and light bites to-go, for visitors on the move at all times of day and into the evening.
Events, meetings, and other goings on at the Asher Adams
Photo: Asher Adams – Autograph Collection
Asher Adams offers 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space — and I was entertained by the clever names of each meeting room, which keep to the hotel’s “railroad” legacy in a playful yet tasteful way. The Gandy Dancer (titled after the tools used by early railroad workers) is adjacent to No. 119 — serving as an exclusive vinyl lounge space featuring 2,500 curated vintage records, plush seating, classic cocktails, and impressive views of the Delta Center. The two conference rooms, dubbed Desert Wind (a train route that ran from this former depot to Los Angeles) and Pioneer (which connected the city to Seattle and the Canadian Rockies), were added to the existing structure, reminding guests of the property’s original purpose.
The 24-hour gym is clean and modern, with equipment for weight training and cardio. It’s located in the original, historic part of the hotel, which made it a bit more of a challenge to find — but there were kind, helpful staff members ready to point the way (and in one case, even escort me personally there). Asher Adams is pet-friendly with the investment of a $150 pet fee. It’s helpful to note that those planning a trip to this mountain region for a skiing or snowboarding getaway can’t actually stay at a hotel near the resorts with a pet, due to local watershed regulations. But staying in Salt Lake City can be a perfectly close enough home base, as there are nearly a dozen ski resorts within an hour’s drive of these urban streets.
Those who mourn the downturn of the railroad era’s peak popularity can enjoy the accessible public transit options nearby — the train hasn’t totally left the station in what was once this glorious railroad depot property. In fact, Asher Adams sits right across from SLC’s TRAX light rail station, just five miles from Salt Lake City International Airport — making it easy to get to and set as a home base for urban adventures, like the Delta Center and the shopping at nearby City Creek Center. Whether you’re a history buff, a train fan, or just seeking somewhere comfortable and luxurious to spend a night surrounded by storied architecture in a convenient location in Salt Lake City, Asher Adams is an ideal setting for an overnight experience. 