USA. Vantage Airport Group has opened the Arrivals & Departures Hall at New York LaGuardia Airport Terminal B, as part of a US$5.1 billion transformation.
The 850,000sq ft complex spans four levels, with the top floor home to a commercial district with 21 shops and restaurants featuring New York names alongside global brands (details below).
The Arrivals & Departures Hall aims to bring the “vibrant New York spirit” to the airport experience through architectural and design finishes inspired by New York’s neighbourhoods, and a collection of public art installations commissioned for the terminal through a partnership with the Public Art Fund.
As LaGuardia Gateway Partners’ (LGP) lead developer, equity investor and terminal manager, Vantage has led the redevelopment since the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey initiated plans to redevelop Terminal B in 2011. The project represents the largest public-private partnership in US aviation history, with Vantage holding a contract to operate Terminal B through to 2050.
Vantage Airport Group Chair & CEO and LGA Board Director George Casey said: “Today’s milestone represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to revolutionise one of New York’s most important gateways and a critical piece of US aviation infrastructure. As an equity investor, lead developer and manager of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, it’s been an honour to oversee the redevelopment and management of Terminal B alongside the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”
He added: “Together with the Port Authority, airlines, the TSA, concessionaires, and other key stakeholders, we have created a world-class terminal that will entirely transform the passenger experience and help deliver on Governor Cuomo’s vision for a unified LaGuardia. We are proud to share this milestone with our partners, travellers and New Yorkers. With the completion of the Arrivals & Departures Hall, we have raised the bar for the airport experience, not just at LaGuardia but for the entire US airport system.”
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said: “The opening of the first new Arrivals and Departure Hall is a major milestone in delivering on Governor Cuomo’s vision for a brand new, world-class, 21st century LaGuardia Airport that the region deserves. Today’s opening should be a shining symbol of the region’s potential for a strong economic recovery with the vitality of New York before COVID-19.”
“Vantage Airport Group has immense experience in managing and executing world class guest airport experiences – leveraging the latest in innovation, design planning and management practices to provide the best possible guest experience – and I am proud to be a part of their team and to have them as a partner in the redevelopment of LaGuardia’s Terminal B,” said Stewart Steeves, Chief Executive Officer of LaGuardia Gateway Partners and a Senior Executive at Vantage Airport Group.
The commercial offer
Unlike the original terminal, most shops, restaurants and services are located post-security. Some will open later than planned given reduced passenger volumes and COVID-19 restrictions. Services include contactless ordering via a mobile device from selected restaurants through LGA’s partnership with e-commerce specialist Grab. At Your Gate will also supply food delivery straight to gate from restaurants.
Restaurants/Dining (* denotes open):
- Dunkin’ Donuts*: Featuring coffee, freshly baked donuts, breakfast sandwiches and packaged snacks, salads, yogurts and fruit.
- Eli’s Essentials: Sandwiches, bagels or pastries from well-known New York name Eli Zabar.
- Mulberry Street: Offering Marc Forgione’s critically acclaimed plates served in a casual meets culinary chef-led dining experience.
- Spirit and Bell: A brand created specifically for Terminal B by one of New York’s most influential hospitality teams, it houses a full wine and cocktail bar with “one of the world’s best cocktail menus” according to LGA.
- Brooklyn Diner: Celebrating the borough of Brooklyn’s diverse culinary history with classic American dishes. Includes scratch-made specialities including house-cured hot pastrami, chicken pot pie and double-fisted hamburgers, as well as tacos, burritos, frankfurters and pasta.
- Think Coffee: An independently owned business with 11 NYC locations. Each cup Think Coffee sells directly benefits a vulnerable community in its supply chain.
- Dos Toros Taqueria*: New York City’s original mission-style taqueria, serving burritos, tacos, bowls and salads made from scratch, using fresh ingredients and naturally raised meats.
- Tony + Benny’s Pizza Parlor*: A traditional pizza parlour from Brooklyn, it serves pizza by the slice, pasta in house-made sauce and other traditional Italian recipes and flavours.
- Junior’s Restaurant and Cheesecake*: Originally opened in the heart of Brooklyn in 1950, Junior’s serves sliced deli sandwiches, hot Reubens, burgers, fries, breakfasts and its popular cheesecake.
- Hill Country Barbecue Market: Serving a selection of barbecue including chopped brisket and pulled pork, as well as fried chicken and tenders with an array of classic sides.
- Green Leaf’s: An interactive concept centred around healthy and fresh items. Serving chef inspired salads, wraps, grain bowls, smoothies and fresh juices.
- Wendy’s: Offering classic burgers and salads.
- Zaro’s Family Bakery: Serving a range of baked goods
Shops (* denotes open):
- The Bowery Shops: 15,000sq ft of shopping that aims to pay homage to New York’s cultural diversity. Rotating pop-up shops will feature “sensory experiences designed to enhance the customer journey and give travellers first-hand access to an endless assortment of products and services”, says LGA.
- The Dean*: A 5,000sq ft men’s fashion zone featuring brands such as Herschel, Hugo Boss, Kiehl’s, Lacoste, Mizzen + Main, Rhone, Shinola, The Art of Shaving, TUMI, Vince Camuto and more.
- The Scoop: A convenience store offering products, snacks, travel essentials and more, along with a digital news media experience.
- Madison Ave. Market*: A “hip, retro market” offering travel essentials and treats
- NYC Aglow*: Celebrating the lights of NYC, this store houses a reimagined skyline while offering travel essentials and destination goods.
- Be Relax Spa: Wellness and beauty services from massages to nail care and more.
In response to COVID-19, Vantage has implemented new protocols to enhance existing health and safety standards at each of its airports, including Terminal B, in partnership with the Port Authority. Measures include reduced person-to-person contact via plexiglass screens, use of electrostatic fogging equipment for sanitisation, physical distance queue management, and increased cleaning and sanitisation of all areas.
With the completion of the Arrivals & Departures Hall, next steps will be to complete Terminal B, including demolition of the original terminal and the opening of gates in the western concourse. Once finished, the new Terminal B will include 1.3 million square feet of new space, as well as elevated dual pedestrian bridges spanning active taxi lanes, a concept brought to life by design and architecture partner HOK.
