Redevelopment plans unveiled by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and Westfield Concession Management for Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport include a massive transformation of the terminal, 15 new dining and retail brands and new passenger amenities throughout.
Redevelopment plans for Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport feature 15 new luxury retail and dining concepts, new passenger amenities and innovative design
Scheduled for completion in fall 2013, the redevelopment will feature various new dining and retail options post-security – including many Chicago-based restaurants and brands – as well as contemporary design and a re-engineered layout to improve the traveler experience and maximize CDA and Westfield revenues.
Currently, 95 per cent of the terminal’s dining and retail options are located land-side (before passengers pass through the security checkpoints), making it difficult for passengers to access dining and shopping while waiting for flights. The redevelopment is the first since the terminal’s construction in 1993.
Westfield Concession Management and its tenant partners are investing more than $26 million into the terminal over the course of the redevelopment, generating a total of 180 construction positions.
The redesign of Chicago O’Hare’s International Terminal 5 features a duty-free shop through which all departing passengers will flow after exiting the terminal’s security checkpoints
The new dining and retail program will create 100 new full-time concession jobs, adding to the existing 180 concession jobs for a total of approximately 280 employees, according to Westfield Concession Management.
Terminal 5′s renovated interior – which will include a new food court with performance kitchens – will offer a redesigned, more efficient TSA checkpoint and feature new lighting, signage, fixtures and other modern amenities, while incorporating sustainable and recycled materials.
A central element of the new design is the European-style pass-through duty-free store which all departing passengers will flow through after clearing the new TSA checkpoint. Operated by Dufry, the duty-free shopping program will link Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district to Terminal 5.
Travelers will also be able to shop at stand-alone luxury shops from designers Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo and Emporio Armani.
One of the dining and refreshment outlets in Chicago O’Hare’s redesigned Terminal 5 is Local Headlines Bar, which offers gastropub-style sausages, wraps and other food
Passengers will also be able to purchase meals from a mix of healthy and fresh sit-down, casual and grab-and-go options. The new program includes Tortas Frontera by local chef Rick Bayless, featuring Mexican cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms.
Natural Break offers quick, fresh-made salads, sandwiches and juices. Tocco brings rustic Italian fare including wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza, pastas and old world favorites. Local Headlines Bar will offer gastropub-style sausages, wraps and more, while locally owned-and-operated Intelligentsia Coffee will sell freshly roasted, direct-trade coffees from around the world.
Featuring four unique concepts, the redevelopment marks Chicago-based restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ first entry into an airport. Hub 51 will dish up fresh sushi, gourmet tacos, burgers and more. Urban Olive, a debut concept for the group, will serve fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Big Bowl will sell fresh Chinese and Thai fare, while Wow Bao will offer hot Asian buns.
Swiss watchmaker Swatch has a retail outlet in Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s redesigned international terminal, Terminal 5
The retail program continues with Hudson News’ travel essentials concept, and Swiss watchmaker Swatch brings its timepieces to the terminal. Chicago-based Vosges Haut Chocolat will sell exotic chocolate bars, truffles and toffees; and I Love Chicago will offer a variety of products including original artwork, apothecary and unique accessories.
In a first for Chicago, XpresSpa will provide massage services and salon treatments such as manicures, pedicures and facials, while featuring local-based products.
Since the redevelopment began on July 1, Westfield has completed immediate upgrades to enhance the traveler experience during the transformation. Passengers are experiencing expanded offerings and increased hours of operation for post-security food, duty-free and travel essentials. New shopping, dining and amenities will open throughout the course of redevelopment.
Local chef Rick Bayless’ Tortas Frontera, one of the new restaurants in Chicago O’Hare’s International Terminal 5, features Mexican cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms
Westfield Concession Management currently manages concessions programs at Chicago O’Hare, Boston Logan, Houston (George Bush), JFK, LAX, Miami, Newark Liberty, Orlando, Ronald Reagan National Airport, and Washington Dulles Airports.
O’Hare’s international Terminal 5 was built in 1993. Currently, 24 air carriers operate from the terminal’s 21 common-use gates.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranks as one of the world’s busiest airports, offering nonstop and direct service to nearly 200 cities worldwide. Approximately 50 commercial carriers operate out of 189 gates at O’Hare, carrying more than 67 million passengers annually.
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