Increasing the quality and quantity of concession space and concessions revenue

Chicago O’Hare International Airport Concessions

Over twenty years ago, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport—one of the world’s busiest airports—began a series of major initiatives to increase the quality and quantity of its concession space. When they selected our team for the job, we worked with multiple user-groups within the client’s organization, as well as other major stakeholders. Our role? To develop a comprehensive concessions program, masterplan, and integrated set of design guidelines—and then review multiple tenant submissions.

The concessions master-plan and sub-masterplans for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 implement a series of interrelated design themes related to the City of Chicago’s skyline, icons, and waterways. The project included both retail and food and beverage outlets within sight of multiple gates, and—to save a significant amount of space—combines gate seating with concessions seating.

The Terminal 3 Apex Food and Retail court is still one of the most successful mixed-use concessions venues in North America. Plus, the head of American Airlines properties group attested that the renovation also saved American Airlines significant operating expense. At the Terminal 2 Apex, what was intended to be an interim solution is still successfully operating as originally created.