THE KITCHEN NEXT DOOR UNION STATION

Situated inside the south wing of Denver's historic Union Station, The Kitchen's third Next Door location sits only steps from the transit center's sleek new commuter rail canopy. This 4,250-square-foot restaurant designed by The Kitchen co-founder Hugo Matheson and  Denver-based Semple Brown Design, seats 140 with more than half offering direct views of the fountain-filled Wynkoop Plaza—a 40,000-square-foot outdoor open space just east of the Station. The complex renovation of Next Door's newest home involved a number of respectful, yet creative interventions within this soaring 18-foot-high space infused with memories of travelers past. Numerous architectural moves designed to revive the building's history and significance merge with contemporary elements critical to running a modern-day restaurant. Highlights include restoration of the original exterior fabric and 13-foot tall windows; uncovering drywall-enclosed structural supports to reveal beautiful cast iron columns; and discovering the signage from a 1930s Union Station restaurant brought back to life as a central interior element today.

A simple, subdued materials palette creates a subtle canvas for Next Door's popular open kitchen plan and culinary gallery of real food. Modernist touches juxtapose and merge with the old, while visual intrigue is added through color, texture and authentic materials like reclaimed Douglas Fir, unfinished Colorado Pine tables, handmade recycled ceramic tile, sparkling-glass, tufted upholstery and wood-framed seating, as well as lighting and trim work designed to honor this historic building in a time appropriate manner. Honest materials emphasize the unique character of the space, allowing finishes to wear gracefully.

Special amenities unique to Next Door Union Station include hotel take-out service, and a central bar the owners recently discovered closely replicates the original Union Station lunchroom bar once in the same location. Carefully crafted to highlight the rich character of one of Denver's most beloved buildings, this inviting new restaurant offers a nostalgic nod to the past while imparting a distinctly modern feel certain to attract discerning local diners as well as those just passing through.