Iconic Hotels: A Journey Through Time, Reimagined for Tomorrow
In the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah, a majestic piece of railway history has been reawakened. Not as a museum, but as a vibrant, story-rich destination. The Asher Adams Hotel, housed within the meticulously restored Union Pacific Depot, is a triumph of adaptive reuse and experiential luxury. It’s more than a hotel - it’s a journey. A wonderful addition to the Autograph Collection.
As a global hotel designer, I’m deeply inspired by projects like this, where architecture, memory, and emotion converge to create something truly immersive. The Asher Adams Hotel doesn’t just occupy a historic building, it embraces its heritage and transforms it into a living narrative. Guests aren’t merely staying in a room; they’re stepping into a story of travel history.
From the vaulted ceilings and grand arched windows to the authentic stonework and metal detailing, every element of this hotel reflects a reverence for the past and a vision for the future. The design bridges time: layering rich, tactile materials and contemporary comfort over the station’s original grandeur. It’s a space where nostalgia meets elegance, and where every corner invite curiosity.
The historic waiting room Old mural of Brigham Youngs arrival restored for the future Wonderful stained glass windows
What makes Asher Adams exceptional is not just its beauty, but the intentionality. The guest experience has been crafted to evoke emotion, wonder, and connection. The architecture becomes a stage, the interiors a sensory narrative. It celebrates the romance of travel while offering modern luxury, an approach I believe is essential to creating meaningful, memorable destinations.
For hotel owners and developers, this project is a compelling example of how historical assets can become storytelling powerhouses. It underscores the value of going beyond design for design’s sake and instead designing with purpose, with narrative, and with an eye toward cultural legacy.
I love how the old waiting room is juxtaposed with midcentury modern furniture, but I wish the lobby had added more layers of luxury, experience and comfort to make it feel like a vibrant living room, inspired by the love of travel juxtaposed with the luxury of comfort. It still reminds me too much of old uncomfortable railway stations. The guestrooms are inspired by history, but does it lack comfort? The furnishings are elegant, but how can I unwind after a long day of travels?
Asher Adams reminds us: iconic hotels are not defined by style alone, but by their ability to transport guests - emotionally, culturally, and experientially. This is the kind of work I champion around the world. Design that speaks. Spaces that stir. Experiences that resonate.
Asher Adams isn’t just a hotel. It’s a living narrative, where the golden age of rail travel meets modern hospitality. The restaurants and bars emphasize the fascination with travel: Rouser, a charcoal‑fueled New American restaurant, highlights a Josper grill, rotisserie, and open kitchen, designed to echo a train’s firebox with menus like dry aged duck or Spanish octopus. No. 119, a whiskey‑forward bar on the second level, offers lofty downtown and mountain views framed by original stained glass, with speakeasy elegance and bespoke craft cocktails. The Gandy Dancer: A vinyl lounge with over 2,500 curated records offers immersive music experiences and private events in an intimate setting.
For hotel owners and developers, this is more than inspiration, it’s a blueprint. In an era, hungry for unique guest experiences, adaptive reuse offers differentiation, depth, and undeniable soul.
