O'Hare modernization: City unveils designs for Satellite Concourse 1 at O'Hare Global Terminal
O'Hare's $8.5B Makeover: Boon or Boondoggle?
Chicago's O'Hare Airport is undergoing a significant expansion as part of the O'Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan. Mayor Brandon Johnson recently unveiled the design for Satellite Concourse 1, which will feature new amenities including gate lounges, retail shops, and a skylight roof. This concourse is a key part of the project that aims to add 19 new gates and transform the airport's facilities.
The expansion, supported by major airlines like United and American, is set to enhance O'Hare's role as a global hub. The project, which started in March 2023, is expected to create approximately 3,800 jobs and is funded partly by the airlines. Completion of Satellite Concourse 1 is targeted for 2028, with potential future developments depending on budget availability.
How does Mayor Brandon Johnson describe the significance of the O'Hare Airport expansion and modernization project?
Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the O'Hare Airport expansion and modernization project as a "once in a generation expansion" and an opportunity to show the bright future of the City of Chicago. The project, known as the O'Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan, is designed to transform the airport into a modern, efficient global hub, ultimately enhancing the traveling experience for passengers and creating new career opportunities for the people and families of Chicago4.
What are the main features of the new Satellite Concourse 1 at Chicago O'Hare Airport?
The new Satellite Concourse 1 at Chicago O'Hare Airport, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), is a significant component of the O'Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan6. This expansion and modernization project aims to transform O'Hare International Airport into a modern, efficient global hub5. The main features of Satellite Concourse 1 include:
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Gate Lounges: The concourse is designed to create a frictionless experience for travelers, featuring column-free expanses for easy wayfinding, high ceilings to optimize views, and a daylighting strategy to help align the body's natural rhythms, making the experience of air travel more pleasurable.
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Flexible Gates: Satellite Concourse 1 adds 19 new gates that can accommodate different sizes of aircraft bodies, increasing operational efficiency for carriers and reducing layover transfers for passengers in one of the nation’s busiest airports.
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Retail Shops and Seating Areas: The concourse will also include retail shops and seating areas for passengers.
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Design Elements: The design features tall, rounded ceilings, garden rest spaces, and tree-like support columns intended to create a feeling of "moving through an orchard," a nod to the airport's original name, Orchard Field1. The interior will have tones inspired by midwestern landscapes.
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Access: Passengers will access Satellite Concourse 1 using a new circulation bridge through existing Concourse C.
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Sustainability: The project has a minority- and women-owned business participation rate of 38%, and the design team includes renowned Chicago architects SOM, Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup.
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Timeline and Job Creation: Construction on the concourse began in March 2023 and is on track for completion in 2028. The project is anticipated to create more than 3,800 construction jobs.
The Satellite Concourse 1 is part of the larger Terminal Area Plan, which includes two new satellite concourses, a new O’Hare Global Terminal replacing Terminal 2, and an underground tunnel connecting the facilities.