CANADA. Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) last week unveiled one of the world’s most extraordinary airport developments. Remarkably, the spectacularly ambitious new wing of the International Terminal features an indoor stream, one surrounded by cafes, restaurants and 4,000sq m of duty free shopping.
Designers used natural materials native to the region, including slate, river rock and salal, as well as selected colour schemes and artwork reflecting British Columbia’s coastal waters. An all-powerful Sense of Place evokes the spectacular landscape of the Pacific West Coast as well as its indigenous sea life and the artistic heritage of the First Nations people.
There are many highlights but the centrepieces are the show-stopping 114,000-litre aquarium that houses approximately 850 marine creatures and the magnificent Fog Woman and Raven carving by First Nations artist Dempsey Bob. It’s all woven into an eclectic tapestry that makes the terminal a unique attraction in its own right as well as a magnificent gateway to a city, a region and a country.
Next week in a special edition of The Moodie Report PLUS, we will examine the terminal’s commercial offer through our own eyes as well as those of YVR management and the various concessionaires. It will make fascinating reading. But in the meantime we’re simply letting the images tell the story in this unique three-part Picture Gallery.
PART ONE – LANDMARK IMAGES FROM A LANDMARK DAY
PART TWO – A DIVERSE CONSUMER OFFER
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(Left) Plaza Premium Lounge has extended its already impressive global reach by securing the Vancouver contract; (Right) Bijoux Terner, the acclaimed single-price concept, makes its debut in a stand-alone area just after the passenger has passed by the anchor store and headed down towards the gates | |
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(Left) Toys and other children’s items in the attractive Aldeasa Kids shop; (Right) the unrivalled elegance of Hermès | |
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Fashion & Fun, the successful fashion-to-accessories concept first rolled out at Madrid Barajas Airport T4, makes a reappearance here, featuring a host of fashion and designer brands such as Lulu Guinness and Furla | |
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Lupo (left) of Canada and international luggage favourite Samsonite hold prominent places in Fashion & Fun | |
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Fashion and leisure brands Escada (left), Hugo Boss and Paul & Shark in the main Fashion & Fun outlet |
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Italian house Furla, 80 years old this year, occupies a wall unit just inside the Fashion & Fun store; (Right) the unmistakeable look of trend-driven watch brand Swatch | |
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Jewellery, across a wide range of price-points is an important category and Aldeasa offers a diverse international line-up, including (left to right) Thomas Sabo, ck, Antica Murrina and Equss | |
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An elegant, accessible Sunglasses unit within the Fashion & Fun store features Michael Kors, Dior, Emporio Armani, Gucci and Fendi; (Right) Looking out across the stream to the Food Court | |
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How’s this for a relaxed, natural environment for airport food & beverage?; (Right) International concepts such as Starbucks slot in among the retail and alongside localised offerings | |
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‘Beyond, every day’ reads the nicely evocative tagline throughout the airport; (Right) The flight display board highlights the strong Asian influence on passenger traffic at Vancouver Airport | |
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Classy images from the ‘Ocean’ beauty shop – Dior and Clinique both enjoy bright, prominent and well-merchandised space | |
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MAC attack – the Estée Lauder Companies brand is a major drawcard in its native Canada; (Right) Big brand pulling power from the back walls in the flagship store | |
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Confectionery (left and right) is presented in a fairly utilitarian manner and could benefit from some more personalisation | |
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The main liquor offer is a largely mainstream selection with a more premium-focused selection in the second shop in the new wing | |
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An external shot of the Plaza Premium Lounge; (Right) Later in the day and a very different passenger profile emerges as European flights begin to dominate the departures board | |
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The great-looking Hudson News stores – note the reference to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver | |
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Relay and Virgin – cutting edge design from HDS Retail North America | |
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(Left to right) YVR Manager of Retail Leasing Gerard Lim with Aldeasa executive Myriam Avello (International Co-Ordinator North America), Daniel Montero Tallón (International Commercial Director) and Toni Felany (CEO Aldeasa Vancouver); (Right) Montero, Felany and Lim are joined by Aldeasa CEO José-Maria Palencia Saucedo | |
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A proud Daniel Montero Tallón; (Right) The Moodie Report’s Martin Moodie joins Montero, Felany and Lim at Dempsey Bob’s magnificent Fog Woman and Raven carving | |
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Vancouver’s west coast location means a high Asian ratio among the passenger mix – good news for skincare sales | |
PART THREE – OPENING CEREMONY REPORT
Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) today formally unveiled its International Terminal expansion at an extraordinary celebration.
The spectacular new wing features an indoor stream surrounded by cafes, restaurants and 4,000sq m of duty free shopping. A giant 114,000 litre aquarium featuring British Columbia’s indigenous sea life is a centrepiece attraction. Upstairs is a 3,800-litre jellyfish tank featuring 100 moon jellyfish. The new wing has a tremendous Sense of Place, featuring four major works by British Columbian artists. Yesterday’s opening ceremony saw the unveiling of Dempsey Bob’s stunning Fog Woman and Raven carving following a dedication ceremony from the Musqueam people.
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(Left) HMSHost President and CEO Elie Maalouf with YVR CEO Larry Berg and Aldeasa CEO José-Maria Palencia Saucedo; (Right) an ebullient Hudson Group team led by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph DiDomizio | |
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The ICE men cometh – Dan Northam, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer International Currency Exchange (ICE) with CEO Nizar Tejani; (Right) YVR’s Senior Vice President Marketing & Commercial Development Tony Gugliotta | |
The C$200 million, 36,000sq m expansion is the cornerstone of YVR’s C$1.0 billion construction programme. “We are pleased to celebrate the completion of this significant project, our largest expansion in more than ten years,” said Vancouver Airport Authority President and CEO Larry Berg.
“These facilities build on our tradition of delivering a modern airport that reflects the unique character of our region and set YVR apart as the premier global North American gateway to Asia.”
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Crowd stopper: The magnificent 114,000-litre aquarium houses some 850 indigenous sea animals | |
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A diver feeds the fish while in a lovely image (right) a little boy gazes, entranced, at the marine life in front of him | |
YVR’s new duty free concessionaire Aldeasa has opened 13 stores in the new wing, including Western Canada’s first Mango boutique; a wide range of luxury and fashion brands; children’s clothing; consumer technology; health, wellness and beauty products; and a full range of traditional duty free items.
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The new wing features an indoor stream that adds both a Sense of Place and an aura of calm to the retail area | |
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Dempsey Bob’s magnificent Fog Woman and Raven native art wood carving dominates the central area; (Right) A unique welcome to Vancouver from 100 moon jellyfish | |
Passengers can also enjoy food and drinks from the stylish new Milestone’s restaurant operated by HMSHost and a food court featuring a range of options. HDS North America offers its latest Relay and Virgin store designs and Hudson Group’s mixed news/gifts and ‘grab & go’ food outlet is another highlight.
The Moodie Report was among the guests at the opening ceremony, joining a packed attendance of over 600 people.
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(Left) Aldeasa is offering travellers the chance to win the latest model Lexus in a high profile promotion; (Right) The Mango boutique is the hot fashion brand’s first outlet in Western Canada | |
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Fashionable flair: Mango (left) and Burberry benefit from dedicated stand-alone space | |
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(Left) Aldeasa added a suitably Spanish touch to the celebrations by bringing in a group of Flamenco singers and dancers; guests watched spellbound as the Musqueam Indian Band (the only Indian band whose reserve lies within the boundaries of the City of Vancouver) brought the spiritual magic of their music and dance to the opening | |
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The Musqueam dedication ceremony underlined YVR’s strong committment to the region’s culture and traditions | |
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Aldeasa has always majored on Cuban cigars from Habanos and Vancouver is no exception, featuring an attractive walk-in humidor. A Cuban cigar roller showed guests the way it is done. | |
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The great French brand Fauchon is one of the highlights of The Gourmet Shop’s epicurean offer | |
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Montblanc, Omega and Bvlgari are three of the big luxury names on show from Aldeasa | |
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Timely appeal: Gucci, Longines, Rado and Hamilton are part of a select watches offer | |
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From Lanc̫me to Lauder, the cosmetics and fragrances offer is key to Canadian duty free Рand key to Aldeasa | |
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Skincare is an important category, both for men and women, at Vancouver Airport | |
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Hugo Boss, Frey Wille and (behind right) Dunhill add an upscale image to the offer | |
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International Currency Exchange is the exclusive foreign exchange provider in the International Terminal while (right) the beautifully expressed Milestone’s restaurant is one of HMSHost’s best airport executions to date | |
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Musqueam Elder Larry Grant’s dedication was a highlight of the day; (Right) Specialist outlets such as those from Hudson Group (pictured) and HDS North America (Virgin and Relay) – to be featured in Part 2 of this Picture Gallery next week – are some of the best The Moodie Report has seen in its worldwide travels |
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Every Canadian airport should have a Tim Horton’s and HMSHost is ensuring the ubiquitous coffee brand is served fresh and hot; (Right) A&W is another popular name in airport (and North American) food & beverage | |
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(Left) Celebrating a Milestone’s within a milestone: HMSHost Senior Vice President Business Development Patrick Banducci and President and CEO Elie Maalouf; (Right) Team photo time for the Aldeasa and HMSHost contingents as they and YVR executives celebrate a monumental achievement | |
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YVR President and CEO Larry Berg unveils an addition to “a modern airport that reflects the unique character of our region and sets YVR apart as the premier global North American gateway to Asia”; (Right) Larry Berg and Aldeasa CEO José-Maria Palencia Saucedo celebrate their spirit of partnership |
