Denver Union Station Just Got Another Elegant Makeover

30.07.2024 - 21:36 / cntraveler.com / Cooper

Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Denver's Union Station was a bustling transit hub, welcoming as many as 50,000 passengers per day. But as highways sprung up and air travel became more accessible, the city’s historic train depot—like many others across the country—grew quiet. By the early 2000s, it mostly sat empty.

A decade ago, a group of forward-thinking preservationists got together and decided to revitalize the historic downtown structure, which dates back to 1881. What followed was a $54 million renovation that was completed in 2014 and transformed Union Station from a neglected relic to a must-visit gem, complete with shops, restaurants, bars, comfy seating areas, and a luxury hotel. Two years later, the building got another boost in the form of a light-rail service to and from Denver International Airport, making Union Station the first place many travelers see when they arrive in the city.

Denver's historic Union Station dates back to 1881 and has since undergone several multi-million dollar renovations.

This summer, Union Station has undergone yet another makeover. In early July, crews put the finishing touches on an $11 million, six-month refresh of the stately depot. They remodeled the Great Hall—the train station's spacious, high-ceilinged main public area—updated the Cooper Lounge cocktail bar, and overhauled 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space. At the Crawford Hotel located inside the station, they renovated the 112 guest rooms and added a new lobby.

Their overarching goal? To freshen up the bustling landmark while paying homage to its 143-year-old history. More than 10,000 people pass through Union Station daily, and over the last decade, the building’s managers have learned a lot about how people actually use the space—whether that’s downtown professionals grabbing a quick latte at Pigtrain Coffee Co., commuters hopping on a regional bus, travelers arriving from the airport, or sightseers passing through on Amtrak’s California Zephyr train. “It was time for an update,” says Ed Blair, the area general manager for Sage Hospitality, which manages the station.

The most recent renovation directed much of its efforts toward the Crawford Hotel, which was one of just three Denver hotels to be awarded a prestigious “one key” rating from Michelin in its first-ever hotel guide this spring.

In the guest rooms located upstairs in Union Station’s old attic, designers with DLR Group and Sage Studio added new jewel-toned decor meant to evoke the golden era of train travel, including scalloped headboards, vintage-inspired sconces, heavy drapes, and eclectic, locally sourced art. Bold, floral wallpaper now covers the ceilings, and newly built arched doorways pay homage to the