A century after its debut, the facade of Union Station looks the same as it did in its heyday. Eric Peterson
With light-rail, bus and Amtrak service, the station is again the city's transportation hub. Ellen Jaskol
The original Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop opened in 1881. Denver Public Library
Opening in 1914, today's structure is actually the third Union Station. Denver Public Library
At its peak, Union Station was served by six railroads and 80 trains a day. Denver Public Library
The four-year redevelopment project involved painstaking restoration of the Great Hall. Ellen Jaskol
It's a whole new world in the Great Hall. Eric Peterson
The Great Hall dazzles on opening day. Eric Peterson
Ornate chandeliers replaced the preceding fluorescent lighting. Ellen Jaskol
Union Station Development partners at at the opening gala. Ellen Jaskol
The Railbenders perform at the opening bash. Eric Peterson
Thousands attended the opening-day festivities. Eric Peterson
Amtrak continues to stop at Union Station on its California Zephyr route. Eric Peterson
The canopy on the rail platform harks to the architecture at Denver International Airport. Eric Peterson
The new station includes shops, restaurants, bars and The Crawford Hotel. Ellen Jaskol
Behind the scenes, the historic clock is lit by compact fluorescent bulbs. Ellen Jaskol
Kids frolic in the new fountains on opening day. Eric Peterson
Jackalope taxidermy handpicked by NINE dot ARTS decorates a room at The Crawford Hotel. Ellen Jaskol
In the Great Hall, shuffleboard play gets serious on opening day. Eric Peterson
A restored 1930s neon sign hangs behind the bar at The Kitchen Next Door. Eric Peterson
Semple Brown took cues from Union Station's history in its design of The Kitchen Next Door. www.davidlauerphotography.com
The Terminal Bar is housed in the station's onetime mailroom. Eric Peterson
The Terminal Bar has become an immediate local's favorite. Eric Peterson
Lui Ferreyra's octopus mural grabs your attention at Stoic & Genuine. Eric Peterson
The retailers are handpicked, including 5 Green Boxes, puveyors of bunnies, baby heads and other offbeat decor. Eric Peterson
There are 22 underground bus gates at the new transit center. Eric Peterson
There is plenty more development underway in the Union Station neighborhood. Eric Peterson
Feast your eyes on Denver Union Station, at once historic and brand new after a $500 million redevelopment project. The grand opening on July 26 was 100 years after the main building opened in in 1914.
The first
Union Station opened in Lower Downtown Denver in May 1881. It lasted 13 years before a fire burned it to the ground.
The second Union Station lasted a little longer -- from 1894 to 1912 -- before crews demolished it to make way for the Beaux-Arts-style structure that opened in 1914.
A century later, the place is looking better than ever, thanks to an ambitious redevelopment project that culminated in its grand opening on Sat. July 26.
Thousands flocked to the grand dame for opening day, and a line for entry into the stunning Great Hall snaked down Wynkoop Street, as the bars and restaurants poured beers and filled plates, and Denver got a first look at its brand-new -- but century-old -- living room in the heart of the city.
But plenty more is yet to come: The long-moribund blocks to the west of the station are alive with construction, and a full-fledged neighborhood -- complete with 2,000 apartments, 100,000 square feet of retail space and 15 acres of plaza and parks -- is quickly coming to life.
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Eric is a Denver-based tech writer and guidebook wiz. Contact him
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