Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has unveiled five teams shortlisted to design the O’Hare 21 Terminal Expansion Project set to take place at O’Hare International Airport, Illinois.
The shortlisted teams include: Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners; Foster Epstein Moreno JV Joint Venture Partners; Santiago Calatrava LLC; Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM); and Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners.
“Chicago has called upon some of the world’s best designers to help carry out our vision for the new O’Hare Global Terminal – the key to a bigger, better and more modern O’Hare for the 21st century,” said Mayor Emanuel.
“As we look ahead to O’Hare’s future, we won’t forget Chicago’s legacy of architecture and transportation. By the end of this competition, we will change the trajectory of O’Hare forever, and ensure Chicago remains a leading hub for travelers around the world.”
The shortlisted teams have now been invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Lead Architectural Design Services. Through the RFP process, each team will submit a design model that will be showcased at various locations throughout the city.
In the coming months, the city council will seek public feedback on the design concepts presented by each of the five finalists. This input will be taken into consideration as part of the final selection.
Transportation, business and civic leaders from the local community will make up the official selection committee with additional technical advisories from leading architectural firms, cultural and academic institutions and local businesses also providing their recommendations.
Commissioner Shannon Andrews, department of procurement services, City of Chicago, said, “This procurement represents an opportunity for the department to play a role in a historic moment for the city. We are committed to ensuring the integrity of the procurement process and continuing our partnership with aviation and all stakeholders as we move forward.”
The centerpiece of the O’Hare 21 program is a US$8.5bn terminal expansion plan for O’Hare Airport, the largest in the airport’s history. O’Hare 21 will create tens of thousands of construction jobs over the next eight years, and tens of thousands of new permanent jobs with the airport, airlines, tourism, and supporting industries.