Union Depot

What Union Depot does

Union Depot is a historic multimodal transportation hub and event venue located at 214 4th Street East in the Lowertown district of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Originally opened in 1926 and operated by Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority since the 2000s, the facility underwent a $243 million renovation completed in 2011-2012 and reopened in 2012 as a consolidated intermodal center. The building serves Amtrak's Empire Builder and Borealis rail services, Metro Transit light rail (Green Line terminus) and bus routes, Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, FlixBus, and MVTA regional buses, along with on-site Hertz car rental and taxi/rideshare access. It also functions as a major event venue with seven indoor and outdoor spaces (Waiting Room, Red Cap Room, Veterans Gallery, Riverview Conference Room, Gateway Conference Room, East Plaza, North Plaza) plus The Mezzanine at 1881, accommodating groups from 20 to 3,000 guests, with Lake Elmo Inn Catering as the exclusive caterer and a network of preferred A/V and decor vendors.

The business generates revenue across five streams: event venue rental (weddings, corporate events, public gatherings), daily and contract parking across four lots with EV charging, oversized vehicle parking, tenant leasing (retail, dining, service tenants such as 1881 Eating House, Story Line Books, Lowertown Bike Shop), and transit carrier operations. Parking rates range from $2-$15 daily with monthly contracts from $35-$150; event pricing is quote-based. The technology stack is conventional — physical security infrastructure (250+ cameras, 24/7 patrols), live train cameras for public viewing, key-card bike storage, and third-party parking reservation integration via Spot Hero. There is no proprietary software platform, mobile app, or digital product offering.

Customer segments span four primary use cases: wedding and private event clients, corporate event clients, public and community event organizers, and travelers/commuters using the transit hub. The facility is managed by a lean team of 8-10 named leaders under General Manager Lindsay Boyd, supported by operational partner ABM for parking/security and a broad vendor ecosystem for events. Union Depot holds no venture or private equity backing — it is a government-owned public asset, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Union Depot

Legal name

Union Depot

Website

https://uniondepot.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Union Depot is a historic 1926 multimodal transportation hub and event venue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, owned by the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority. It serves Amtrak, light rail, and intercity bus passengers while hosting weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings across seven event spaces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multimodal Transportation Hub & Event Venue

NAICS

Support Activities for Rail Transportation (4882), Urban Transit Systems (48511), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHAAAA

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

SECONDARYTHAHAAAB

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

Keywords

• Event venue rentals
• Multimodal transportation hub
• Historic wedding venue
• Daily and contract parking
• Corporate conference hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Event Venue Rental: Union Depot generates revenue by renting out its seven event spaces (Waiting Room, Red Cap Room, Veterans Gallery, Riverview Conference Room, Gateway Conference Room, East Plaza, North Plaza) for weddings, corporate events, public gatherings, and other functions. Pricing varies by space and capacity.
2. Daily Parking: Multiple parking lots (A, B, C, D) generate revenue through hourly, daily, evening/weekend, early bird, and event parking rates. EV charging stations available in Lots A and B.
3. Contract Parking: Monthly contract parking passes and 3-Day Flex passes for commuters and hybrid workers. Rates range from $35-150 per month depending on lot and plan type.
4. Oversized Vehicle Parking: Daily flat rate of $40 per day for oversized vehicles including buses, shuttles, and trucks in Lot D.
5. Tenant Leasing: Revenue from retail and service tenants operating within the Union Depot building including restaurants (1881 Eating House), shops (Story Line Books, Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, Lowertown Bike Shop), services (Royal Zeno Shoe Shine), and transportation providers (Amtrak, Hertz, Jefferson Lines, FlixBus).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Union Depot operates as a multimodal transportation hub and historic event venue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It provides event venue rental across seven spaces (Waiting Room, Red Cap Room, Veterans Gallery, Riverview Conference Room, Gateway Conference Room, East Plaza, North Plaza), hosts weddings and corporate events with exclusive catering, manages daily and contract parking in four lots, and serves as the terminal for Amtrak, intercity bus carriers, and Metro Transit light rail and bus services.

Product overview

Union Depot is a historic multimodal transportation hub and event venue in St. Paul, Minnesota, offering transportation services (train, bus, light rail, bike, taxi/rental car), diverse event venues (Waiting Room, Red Cap Room, Veterans Gallery, Riverview Conference Room, Gateway Conference Room, East Plaza, North Plaza, and The Mezzanine at 1881), parking services, public programs including Train Cams and free yoga, and retail amenities. The venue accommodates events from intimate gatherings to 3,000-person conferences, with exclusive catering partnerships and AV vendor networks supporting event operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waiting Room Union Depot's largest and most iconic event space featuring soaring ceilings, terrazzo floors, and flexible layouts accommodating up to 3,000 guests for weddings, galas, conferences, and large-scale events.
• Red Cap Room Versatile mid-sized banquet and meeting space named for historic station porters, featuring string lighting and flexible AV capabilities accommodating up to 210 guests.
• Veterans Gallery Adaptable event space honoring military personnel with flexible seating for receptions, lectures, and classroom-style gatherings accommodating up to 199 guests.
• Riverview Conference Room Intimate conference room overlooking the Mississippi River with SMARTBoard technology, accommodating up to 20 people for executive meetings and strategy sessions.
• Gateway Conference Room Flexible tech-ready conference space with adjustable skylights for board meetings, trainings, and breakout sessions accommodating up to 42 guests classroom-style.
• East Plaza Open-air outdoor venue along Kellogg Boulevard with native plants, benches, and picnic tables, ideal for casual outdoor celebrations and community activations.
• North Plaza High-visibility outdoor space on 4th Street between Sibley and Wacouta, designed for public-facing events like art fairs, cultural festivals, and community gatherings.
• The Mezzanine at 1881 Semi-private event mezzanine space inside 1881 Eating House, perfect for rehearsal dinners, team celebrations, and small gatherings accommodating up to 80 guests.
• Daily Parking Short and long-term parking options in Lots A, B, C, and D with EV charging stations in Lots A and B, varying rates from $2-$15 daily, and spot reservation through Spot Hero.
• Contract Parking Monthly contract parking passes and 3-Day Flex passes for commuters and hybrid workers, with rates ranging from $35-150 per month depending on lot and plan type.
• Oversized Vehicle Parking Daily flat rate of $40 per day for oversized vehicles including buses, shuttles, and trucks in Lot D.
• Tenant Leasing Retail and service tenant spaces leased within Union Depot including restaurants (1881 Eating House), shops (Story Line Books, Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, Lowertown Bike Shop), services (Royal Zeno Shoe Shine), and transportation providers (Amtrak, Hertz, Jefferson Lines, FlixBus).
• Bike Storage Secure indoor bicycle storage with 24-hour key-card accessibility, repair station, secured shower access, and restrooms.
• Taxis and Rental Cars Ground transportation services including taxi pickup/drop-off on Kellogg Boulevard and Hertz car rental located at the Kellogg Entry near Amtrak Ticketing Office.
• Train Days Annual public event celebrating trains and transportation featuring historic locomotives including CPKC KCS 1776 Anniversary Locomotive, Union Pacific, Twin Cities & Western, and vintage railcars like the 261 Super Dome, with live music, vendors, and family activities.
• Weddings Wedding venue services including ceremony and reception spaces with Getting Ready Suite and pre-ceremony suite options, exclusive catering through Lake Elmo Inn, and historic 1920s architectural backdrop.
• Corporate Events & Meetings Corporate event hosting services including conferences, board meetings, and networking events with seven flexible spaces and built-in AV support for up to 3,000 guests.
• Tours Guided and virtual tour experiences including CynCity Public Tours (free, twice monthly on Wednesdays), private group tours ($10/ticket, 12-person minimum), audio walking tour, and video tour.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 years of continuous operation and service to the St. Paul community since 1926
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lake Elmo Inn CateringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive caterer for all private events at Union Depot. Provides on-site catering and bar services for weddings, corporate events, and other functions. Lake Elmo Inn Catering has over 30 years of experience delivering catering services throughout the Twin Cities. The partnership ensures consistent quality and service standards for all catered events at the venue.
• AmtrakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational rail operator serving Union Depot with Empire Builder service to Chicago and Pacific Northwest, and Borealis service to Chicago. Amtrak ticket counter located at street level. Ticket office hours 6:45 AM - 10:30 PM with 24-hour self-service kiosks.
• Metro TransitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Transit provides light rail (Green Line with Union Depot as eastern terminus), METRO Gold Line, METRO B Line, and multiple bus routes serving Gate A at Union Depot. Hundreds of buses and light rail trains serve Union Depot daily.
• Jefferson LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally-based intercity bus company departing from Union Depot with destinations throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. Jefferson Lines ticket counter located at street level on Kellogg Boulevard and also serves Greyhound passengers.
• GreyhoundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIconic intercity bus company with service across North America now serves Union Depot in partnership with Jefferson Lines.
• FlixBusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth America's fastest-growing intercity bus service connecting travelers to and from Saint Paul with convenient service at Union Depot.
• Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeekday service from Gate A on routes 480, 484 and 489. Provides regional transit connections to southern suburbs of Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• Hertz Car RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental counter located at the Kellogg Entry near Amtrak Ticketing Office. Offers wide range of luxury, sports and hybrid vehicles for business or leisure rentals.
• ABM Parking ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages all Union Depot parking operations including daily parking, contract parking, and oversized vehicle parking. Provides 24/7 security patrols and camera coverage throughout parking facilities. Operations Manager: Carlos Shimmin (651.202.2741).
• AV For YouminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred A/V vendor providing audio-visual services for events. Award-winning company with 20+ years of experience serving the Twin Cities area.
• DPS (Damron Production Services)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred A/V vendor with one of the largest equipment inventories in Minnesota. Provides full-service A/V solutions and technical support for conferences, galas, concerts and more.
• LivewireminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred A/V partner specializing in live, hybrid and virtual event production. Offers staging, lighting, video, streaming, and complete technical support across the country.
• Maple Lane MediaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred A/V partner providing audio visual support, webcast production, and video services for meetings and special events.
• Sightline ProductionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred A/V partner offering event production, equipment rental, on-site tech, web streaming and creative services using top-tier equipment and skilled technicians.
• Encore EventsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred décor vendor offering premier linen and décor rental with full-service design, setup and takedown. Specializes in custom backdrops and coordinated tabletops for events.
• Nunu DécorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred décor vendor offering tables, chairs, lighting, floral, and custom designs. Full-service event décor with creative solutions for all styles and budgets.
• Ultimate EventsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred rental vendor with deep inventory including tents, tables, dishware, pipe and drape, linens and more. Leading Twin Cities rental provider for indoor and outdoor events.
• Wesdor Décor and Party Rental ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred décor partner specializing in customized and visually stunning experiences. Creates luxury events and unforgettable celebrations with start-to-finish support.
• Studio 9-to-5 WellnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree yoga classes offered at Union Depot's East Plaza on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Classes taught by certified Studio 9-to-5 instructors as part of community programming.
• Ramsey County Regional Railroad AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner of Union Depot property. Purchased Union Depot with goal of restoring both its beauty and purpose. Extensive planning and fundraising paved the way for $243 million restoration completed 2011-2012.
• CynCity Public ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party tour operator providing public tours of Union Depot twice monthly on Wednesdays. Tours cover history, architectural nuances, and lesser-known stories of the landmark.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Denver Union Station: Adaptive-reuse of a historic rail terminal into a multimodal hub with event venues, retail, and dining in downtown Denver. Closest functional analog to Union Depot given the rail-to-event-venue transformation model and curated retail tenant mix.
• Washington Union Station: Historic 1907 rail terminal serving Amtrak and VRE/MARC, operated as a mixed-use destination with extensive retail, dining, and private event venues. Comparable in scale of event business and multimodal transport integration.
• Los Angeles Union Station: 1939 historic rail terminal in downtown Los Angeles serving Amtrak and Metrolink with event spaces, retail, and dining. Comparable as a publicly owned, historically registered multimodal hub generating non-transit commercial revenue.
• Grand Central Terminal: Iconic 1913 historic rail terminal in New York City operating as both a working Amtrak/Metro-North hub and a destination with retail, dining, and event space. Comparable in combining preserved historic rail infrastructure with commercial and event activation.
• 30th Street Station (Philadelphia): 1933 historic rail terminal in Philadelphia serving Amtrak and SEPTA, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Comparable as a major Northeast multimodal hub undergoing similar commercial activation of historic rail infrastructure.
• King Street Station (Seattle): 1906 historic rail terminal in Seattle serving Amtrak and Sound Transit, with restored clock tower and public event spaces. Comparable as a publicly owned, historically registered multimodal hub with event and community-programming components.
• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal: 1933 Art Deco former Union Terminal in Cincinnati, now a National Historic Landmark housing a museum center while also hosting events. Comparable as a publicly supported adaptive reuse of a historic rail terminal into a destination venue.

Regional players

• The Depot Minneapolis (Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot): Historic 1880s train station converted into a hotel and event venue in downtown Minneapolis. Direct regional competitor for weddings, corporate events, and galas targeting the same historic-rail-venue positioning.
• Saint Paul RiverCentre: Adjacent convention and event complex in downtown Saint Paul, directly competing for the same corporate, community, and public-event business within a few blocks. Closest local competitor in the Twin Cities event venue market.
• Minneapolis Convention Center: Large purpose-built convention facility in downtown Minneapolis competing for the same corporate conference and trade-show segment. Operates at much larger scale but in the same Twin Cities event-hosting market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnionDepot
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYAf4JKbGchVKtmiyKtvKoQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/uniondepot
• Instagraminstagram.com/uniondepot
• TikToktiktok.com/@uniondepot
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/union-depot

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Union Depot