Los Angeles International Airport’s modernization has been said to have reached a milestone with the unveiling the more than 60 dining and luxury retail shops – including 22 local L.A. brands – coming to the New Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Serving as the first and last impression of Los Angeles to millions of international passengers annually, the New TBIT is expected to “revolutionize the passenger experience in North America”.
Westfield and its tenant partners are investing $80 million to develop the new dining and retail program at TBIT. The first phase of New TBIT, which includes a Great Hall and boarding gates on the west side of the terminal, is scheduled for arrival Spring 2013. The second phase – which includes new gates on the east side of the terminal, new federal security screening area, and upgraded customs arrivals area – is expected to be completed by 2014.
The New TBIT is the largest public works project in the City’s history and one part of LAneXt, the $4.1-billion LAX modernization program comprised of nearly 25 individual projects. The modernization of LAX is creating 40,000 jobs and is funded without the use of taxpayer dollars. TBIT alone will support nearly 4,000 construction-related jobs and help support 1,700 permanent concession jobs.
Los Angeles World Airports owns and operates LAX and two other Southern California airports.
The Westfield program will introduce 42 concepts to LAX for the first time, including 28 new concepts never before seen in an airport environment, and will generate projected annual sales of $98 million.
The New TBIT dining lineup includes: Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio’s sandwiches at ink.sack; modern Mexican food from the “Top Chef Masters” duo of Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken at Border Grill; and the Umami Burger, the L.A. outlet awarded GQ’s “Burger of the Year” title. The dining options continue with Cantina Laredo, Marmalade Café, Pinkberry, Starbucks Coffee, Drink.LA, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Scoreboard LA, and Panda Express.
Featuring open glass storefronts, the New TBIT retail program will include: Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Emporio Armani, and Fred Segal boutique.
Boasting 25,000 square feet and three free-standing fashion luxury boutiques, a major highlight of the New TBIT is the duty-free shopping line-up by DFS. DFS is investing $32 million in TBIT and is projecting first full year sales for the airport-wide duty free concession of over $300 million dollars. DFS will also introduce Platinum Services Club in LAX – a highly personalized shopping and concierge service for global travelers visiting Los Angeles.
Other retail brands in the Westfield lineup include: See’s Candies, XpresSpa, Hudson, The Bead Factory, Bienvenida Flowers & Gifts, Angeleno News, RELAY, Malibu Shades, Virgin Mobile/Boost Mobile, Travel & Leisure, CNN Newsstand Los Angeles, USA Today Travel Zone, The Economist, Sanrio Surprises, Hollywood Reporter and 7-Eleven.
The New TBIT will feature 18 roomier boarding gates with nine built for new-generation aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 super jumbo jet, Boeing 747-8 intercontinental jumbo jet, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The project is optimizing the use of recycled building materials and the architecture and construction of the facilities are designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the US Green Building Council.
Built in 1984, Tom Bradley International Terminal is LAX’s primary facility serving international travelers.
LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third busiest in the US, offering more than 600 daily flights to 91 domestic cities and over 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 58 cities in 32 countries on nearly 75 air carriers. In 2011, LAX served more than 61.8 million passengers, processed more than 1.8 million tons of air cargo valued at nearly $84.6 billion, and handled 603,912 aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs).