White Paper on landside commercial master planning to be presented at AAA Retail & Commercial Forum : Moodie Davitt Report

AUSTRALIA. COX Architecture and The Mercurius Group have co-authored a groundbreaking White Paper that explores the power of combining innovation in architectural design with the commercial discipline of benchmark-led analysis in airport landside master planning.

The White Paper will form the basis of a presentation and subsequent discussion panel at the Australian Airports Association (AAA) Retail & Commercial Forum, which takes place on 21-23 July at the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, Sydney.

The Forum, a collaboration between the AAA, The Mercurius Group and The Moodie Davitt Report is in its fourth year and focuses on promoting the growth and development of retail and commercial revenues for airports and concessionaires across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.

The White Paper presents the case for integrating architectural vision with commercial strategy—an approach the authors have employed together for a number of projects, including current work underway at Fiji’s Nadi and Nausori airports.

One of five white papers being presented at this year’s AAA Airport Retail & Commercial Forum, ‘Better by Design: Unlocking Value in Airport Landside Master Planning’ includes thought-provoking insights, along with a compendium-style analysis of airport landside portfolios throughout Australia and New Zealand.

COX Architecture is a leader in the design and master planning of large-scale infrastructure and commercial environments, with extensive expertise in the creation of innovative airport spaces.

The company brings valuable insights to the White Paper on the key value drivers in master planning landside developments including capturing adjacent land uses on-airport, precincting, placemaking, location context (such as aerotropolis developments), infrastructure requirements, topographical constraints and design considerations. It also has expertise in how commercial dynamics help build viable and sustainable airport property portfolios.

Speakers in what promises to be a compelling panel on landside master planning include (clockwise from top left) COX Principal John Ferendinos, Newcastle Airport Executive General Manager Property Tracey Groves, Fiji Airports GM Commercial Aisake Cabemaiwai and Sydney Airport Head of Retail Design & Delivery Nicole Prochilo

“Landside commercial development has become a key component of airport strategy, particularly for revenue diversification,” explained COX Principal & Director John Ferendinos.

“Land not required for aviation purposes can be developed for a range of commercial uses—but how those developments are planned and executed has a direct impact on the value they generate. That’s why combining commercial strategy with architectural design is so important in landside master planning.”

The Mercurius Group brings a commercial lens to the paper, examining the principles of land use and the nuanced relationships between asset class, development models, yield potential and terminal proximity.

Managing Director Ivo Favotto highlighted the increasing role of landside development strategies: “The development model for airport landside commercial portfolios is evolving. Ground leases are starting to give way to commercial partnerships and airports taking on development risks, as markets increasingly recognise the value of airport property developments.”

With airport revenues heavily affected by the COVID pandemic, the importance of robust landside property strategies has been brought into stark focus. AAA CEO Simon Westaway said: “Diversification of revenue streams is a key strategic objective for many airports – accelerated by the COVID experience where passenger-driven revenues dried up. This White Paper will help airports of all sizes as they develop strategies to maximise value from their property assets.”

The panel assembled to discuss the White Paper will comprise: