Fifteen new dining and retail brands will be part of a redevelopment of Chicago O’Hare International’s (ORD) Terminal 5, with the new program slated to open in Fall of 2013. Westfield Concession Management is investing more than $26M into the project. The redevelopment is the first since the terminal’s construction in 1993.
Redevelopment began over the summer with the addition of a 3,000 sq. ft. post-security interim store. Permanent food and beverage and retail locations will open throughout the redevelopment period, and the entire program will grow from about 15,000 square feet to 25,500 square feet.
“Before the redevelopment began, O’Hare International Terminal 5 had 17 concessions and nearly all of them were located pre-security,” says Rosemarie Andolino, commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation. “This program increases the number of restaurants and shops to 25 and relocates almost all of them to the secure side of the concourse.”
With the redevelopment, the Department of Aviation is expecting a big revenue boost. “When the development is complete in the fall of 2013, annual concessions sales in the international terminal are projected to nearly double to about $49M compared to annual sales of $25.3M in 2011,” Andolino says.
Andolino says the goal for the program is to offer more choices and better options in an attractive environment.
“Many leading national and international brands that cater to sophisticated international travelers will be represented,” Andolino says. “One of our top priorities was to bring in concepts, themes and products that are reflective of and identifiable with our great city of Chicago. We want travelers at Terminal 5, whether they’re about to begin a trip abroad or are here for a visit, to know that they’re in Chicago.”
Dominic Lowe, executive vice president, Westfield Concession Management, says the company is “transforming the entire passenger experience in Terminal 5,” including operating some of the most iconic shopping venues in the world.
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 famous Magnificent Mile shopping district to Terminal 5. Luxury retail in stand-alone locations will include Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo and Emporio Armani.
Hudson News will operate news and gift stores. Other retail includes Swatch, Chicago-based Vosges Haut Chocolat, I Love Chicago and services and products from XpresSpa.
The food and beverage program mixes sit-down, casual and grab-and-go options. Among the restaurants to be added are Tortas Frontera, a concept by local chef Rick Bayless; Natural Break, with salads sandwiches and juices; and Tocco with rustic Italian fare. Local Headlines Bar, a gastropub, and locally owned-and-operated Intelligentsia Coffee will also open in Terminal 5. In addition, Chicago-based restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises is marking its first entry into an airport with four concepts: Hub 51, Urban Olive, Big Bowl and Wow Bao.
