Departures Curb (all images courtesy LaGuardia Gateway Partners)
by Ron Bernthal
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity managing and redeveloping LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced in July, 2022, that the last remaining elements of the new terminal have opened. Governor Kathy Hochul and other dignitaries celebrated the completion of construction of the terminal passenger facility in January, and as part of the LGP’s innovative project phasing, the two final gates and remainder of the taxiway were the last pieces to become operational, following the demolition of the old Central Terminal Building (CTB).
Concourse
“The activation of the final two gates at LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B is the final capstone for a magnificent and award-winning new terminal that is providing passengers with a world-class experience from curb to gate,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Spacious interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, inspiring public art, and iconic restaurants and shops all combine to meet the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s new standard in airports: best-in-class facilities worthy of the region.”
Skybridge
Holding a 35-year lease, LGP will continue to manage the new 1.3 million-square-foot terminal that was designed with operational efficiency in mind. Terminal B features soaring ceilings, walls of windows, a state-of-the-art security checkpoint, outposts of beloved city restaurants, art from world-renowned artists, 35 gates, a 3,100-car parking garage, and new covered, convenient pickup facilities for both taxis and ride-sharing vehicles. This terminal is only half of the $8 billion redevelopment of the entire LaGuardia Airport. With a construction value of $4 billion, the Terminal B project is one of the largest public-private partnerships the United States has seen and one of the largest in American aviation history.
Stewart Steeves, Chief Operating Officer of Vantage Airport Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, “With the opening of the last few gates and additional taxiway, we’re so proud to have reached this final milestone in the transformation of LaGuardia Terminal B. This is a monumental achievement and a testament to the dedication and expertise of every member of the Vantage and LGP teams, and our many partners, which transformed Terminal B to provide the best possible guest experience for visitors and residents of New York City.”
Terminal B Water Feature – Chrysler Building
While the new Terminal B was being built, the original Central Terminal Building (CTB) remained operational throughout the entire construction process through an innovative construction phasing plan, which included building over top of the old facility while it remained operational. The last of the 1960s-era CTB was torn down in early 2022 to make way for active aircraft taxiways under the new terminal’s skybridges. The design of the dual skybridges – and the only such feature at any of the world’s airports – allowed for the addition of two extra miles of taxiway space for the busy airport and more efficient operations.
Magnus Eriksson, Managing Director of Skanska Asset Management and member of the Board of Directors, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, “The redevelopment of LaGuardia Terminal B into a world-class airport was a tremendous and collaborative undertaking. I want to congratulate the thousands of people in design, construction and operations who worked tirelessly to transform LaGuardia Terminal B into what it is today.”
Public Art – Arrivals & Departures Hall
The new Terminal B has been internationally recognized with UNESCO’s Prix Versailles, Airports, as the best new airport in the world in 2021.In its entirety, the Terminal B redevelopment project took over 17 million hours of work and 40,000 tons of steel; the Arrivals & Departures Hall alone was constructed with 12,000 tons of steel – more than the Eiffel Tower. Terminal B was built with sustainability in mind utilizing energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and material selection strategies.
“I’m so pleased to be celebrating the opening of the remaining gates and portion of the taxiway,the final pieces of the world-class Terminal B. Meridiam is proud to have worked with the entire LaGuardia Gateway Partners team to design and build Terminal B with sustainability in mind and deliver Terminal B on time and on budget,.” said Jane Garvey, Global Chairman, Meridiam and member of the Board of Directors, LaGuardia Gateway Partners. ,
Interior Terminal B
More than 90 percent of the construction and demolition waste – 69,000 tons – was diverted from landfills, and in fact, Terminal B received LEED v4 Gold certification, the highest distinction awarded by the U.S. Green Buildings Council. Over 300 talented Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) worked on the project, with contracts valued at more than $910 million.
Entry to Terminal B
“Today’s announcement marks the completion of a remarkable journey that culminated in an award-winning, 21st century facility at Terminal B, and we couldn’t be prouder,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The Port Authority is committed to providing our customers a top-notch experience at our facilities, and LaGuardia is a shining example of these efforts.”
The Park in Terminal B
“The new Terminal B is a shining example of a 21st Century airport facility focused on guest experience and what can be accomplished when we all work together,” said Frank Scremin, Chief Executive Officer, LaGuardia Gateway Partners. ” We’re grateful for the leadership of the Governor’s office, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and our partners Vantage Airport Group, Skanska, and Meridiam for their collaboration in making this possible.”
