USA. Leading US airport concessionaire Paradies, together with its partner Taste 5280, has won a bid to develop and operate a commercial space in the new 39,000sq ft extension of Concourse C at Denver International Airport (DIA).
The revenue contract is approximately US$2.4 million a year for ten years, with Paradies-Taste 5280 expected to generate US$17.5 million in sales in the first year. Annual sales tax to the City and County of Denver is projected to be US$700,000, and more than 80 jobs are expected to be created.
The US$46 million Concourse C expansion project began in September 2013 to encompass five new gates – C23 through C27 – that will be utilised by Southwest Airlines, and is scheduled for completion in November 2014.
“As passenger expectations continue to increase, we and our partners at Southwest Airlines are working to create novel and enjoyable customer experiences,” said Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day. “Not only will the addition of these five gates help the Southwest passenger on Concourse C, but the integration of food and retail and the traditional hold rooms will greatly improve the options and ambience of waiting for a plane.”
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Amenities in Denver International’s C Concourse expansion will feature iPads integrated in custom high top tables |
The new space will be designed as an airy, light-filled and easy-to-navigate space, with a mix of urban and natural architectural features, integrated with technology. Architectural references to the industrial history of Colorado’s region will be found in materials such as steel beams – a strong unifying element that will be seen in custom pieces such as communal tables, as well as the main architectural feature of all the storefronts.
Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President Business Development Dave Ridley said: “The expansion of the C Concourse comes at an opportune time for Southwest Airlines and our Mile High Customers. We’re excited to partner with DIA and Paradies on the integration of this new customer experience for our Denver customers, as we continue to bring more service options to the market.”
Amenities in this new space will feature iPads integrated in custom high top tables, allowing travellers to order beverages and receive concierge service, or simply to check e-mail, review flight status and catch up on the news. Improved seating choices will include electrical outlets, cup holders and individual tables. The layers of seating elements will be designed with pops of colour, while warm wood-look porcelain tiles will ground the centre of the concourse in a play on the natural elements found throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
New storefronts will include eSavvy, a partnership with PeachMac featuring electronic accessories and devices from leading brands, including Apple; Say Si Bon Marketplace, offering gourmet snacks and news in an atmosphere that evokes a French market; the Coors Silver Bullet Sports Pub; a full menu of farm fresh offerings from Modmarket; and pop-up concepts such as Colorado’s own ink! Coffee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and cocktails from Tapas Sky Bar.
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Paradies-Taste 5280 has been tasked to create “a unique, architectural, cultural and enhanced customer experience” in the 39,000sq ft extension of Concourse C |
Paradies President and CEO Gregg Paradies commented: “Paradies and our partners in Taste 5280 are proud to begin a successful tradition at DIA with these exciting new concepts. From Say Si Bon to Modmarket, and eSavvy to Tapas Sky Bar, the Southwest traveller will enjoy an all-encompassing shopping experience, featuring stores and restaurants that represent the Denver area.”
Denver ranks as Southwest Airlines’ fastest-growing market in the carrier’s history. The carrier has grown its business from January 2006, offering 13 daily flights to three destinations, to a network today of more than 165 daily flights to nearly 60 nonstop destinations. Southwest plans to relocate its existing two gates on the A Concourse to the C Concourse, increasing the airline’s overall gate count at DIA from 19 to 22 gates.
DIA’s concession programme consists of more than 170,000sq ft of retail space over 140 locations in the airport. In 2013, the concessions generated about US$295 million in annual gross sales.
