1881 by Lake Elmo Inn

Union Depot | St. Paul, MN

Commercial restaurant design at 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn, featuring dining tables, wall sconces, and custom signage.

The restaurant at Union Depot blended into its surroundings and lacked the presence a destination dining space should have. With walls the same green as the surrounding architecture, it visually disappeared within the historic Head House. Our goal was to create an identity that felt worthy of the building’s history—something that suggested an old-world steakhouse with depth, character, and a sense of legacy.

The Creative Brief

A bold black backdrop instantly transformed the space, giving the restaurant a stronger architectural presence within the depot. Dimensional gold lettering added warmth and distinction, creating a look that feels timeless, confident, and rooted in history. The result is a restaurant that no longer fades into the background—it stands out as a place with character, meaning, and a sense of importance.

The Results

Before & After

Before photo of the restaurant space at St. Paul's Union Depot prior to the 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn commercial remodel, showing a lighter facade that blends into the historic architecture.
After photo of the 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn commercial restaurant design at Union Depot, featuring a new bold black backdrop and dimensional gold signage that stands out in the historic hall.
The updated 1881 restaurant facade, now defined by a bold matte black finish and prominent white 'Food, Wine, Bar' typography, creating a clear and attractive destination within the St. Paul station.
A view of the 1881 restaurant space prior to renovation, showing how the bar structure was painted in a muted sage green, which allowed it to blend subtly into the grand historic Union Depot hall.

The Final Walkthrough

  • The 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn commercial bar area at St. Paul's Union Depot, featuring a sleek black counter, wooden barstools, and a white service door set against historic yellow architecture.
  • A spacious lounge seating area designed for 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn, featuring green armchairs, a black tufted leather sofa, and cowhide ottomans in the bright, high-ceilinged Union Depot hall.
  • The elegant interior dining room at 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn, showcasing dark wood wainscoting, cozy dining tables, and custom branded wall signage.
  • Wide view of the 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn bar and seating area at St. Paul's Union Depot, featuring a black bar structure nestled under the building's historic yellow architecture,
  • Close-up of the commercial restaurant design at 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn, showcasing dimensional gold 'Food, Wine' lettering mounted on a modern matte black facade.
  • Spacious dining and event area at 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn within Union Depot, featuring black-clothed tables, white floral centerpieces, and indoor greenery with the bar in the background
  • Custom 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn dimensional wall logo designed for the Union Depot location.
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