Union Station - Tacoma, Washington - A Historic Train Station Turned Courthouse and Wedding Reception Venue

The Union Station is one of downtown Tacoma's finest structures. The terminus was built in 1911 and boasts a prime example of the Beaux Arts style of architecture. In the 1990s the facility was renovated and the lobby currently contains a spectacular glass installation by Chihuly. The station was once the Western Terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad but now houses the federal courthouse.

Inside the station is a unique and historic setting that is perfect for many occasions. With the backdrop of Chihuly art, marble walls, terrazzo floors, and glass block flooring in the east balcony weddings and receptions are quite popular at the venue. There are three floors with a Rotunda that can be rented and accommodate a maximum capacity of 1,200 people reception style and 800 seated guests. When renting the facility, the event holder must provide catering services. There is a room available with kitchen amenities including a sink, small ice machine, garbage cans, counters, and coat racks. Tables and chairs are not provided.

The Rotunda area provides 9,000 square feet and the balcony boasts 4,000 square feet. Alcoholic beverages are allowed when hosting an event, however, a special permit from the state of Washington must be obtained from the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Musical bands are also allowed on the premises after 6 p.m. on weekdays and anytime on weekends and holidays. Parking is available for a fee at a parking lot to the north of Union Station that is city owned.

Union Station is a popular rental destination for many school dances but very strict guidelines are enforced. Dances are not to conclude later than 1 a.m. and the facility must be cleaned to its original state following the dance. Security guards must be positioned when students arrive for safety precautions. The security staff reserves the right to stop the dance at any time due to violence, destructive activity, and vandalism. If the dance is stopped for any of those reasons, no refund will be granted.

The fee schedule for an event containing up to 400 guests includes three security guards during the event times and is $195 per hour for the set up time, $350 per hour for the event time, and $195 per hour for the cleanup time. The fees include lighting, heating and cooling, and custodial cleanup after the event such as restroom cleaning and floor care. Renters must provide their own cleaning crew to clean up before and after the event. For each addition 150 people over the 400 standard limits, an additional security guard is required at $45 per hour.

The Union Station is available for rent on evenings, weekends, and holidays. The Station is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since the Union Station is a federal building security inspections are undertaken. Everyone entering the building must provide proper identification. Purse inspections may be requested and packages, including wedding gifts, are not allowed in the Rotunda.