A $125m redevelopment of the commercial offer at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport Terminal 8 is underway.
Partners American Airlines, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, Holt Construction and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey launched the project yesterday, which will encompass the creation of a new locally-inspired dining and retail offer, duty-free shopping and a performance space.
The project, part of an ongoing $19bn redevelopment of JFK Airport by the Port Authority, follows the completion of a $400m expansion of Terminal 8 in November 2022.
“This significant investment in creating world class and locally inspired dining and retail at Terminal 8 is essential to our successful effort to raise the bar for passenger service at JFK,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
“The commercial redevelopment and commitment to public art at Terminal 8 is a critical step toward achieving the Port Authority’s vision for a new JFK Airport that will once again be ranked as one of the best airports in the world.”
The commercial redevelopment, which is being led by URW and its partner Phoenix Infrastructure Group, will include a complete redesign of the terminal experience and an expansion of the concessions programme. New retail and dining offers will be introduced, alongside an upgrade of the digital experiences on offer.
To enhance the local feel of the project, a special artist showcase entitled A Travelling Dream will transform the construction barriers into a display celebrating the airport’s host community, Jamaica and the wider Queens area.
“A reimagined commercial program paired with inspiring public art will elevate the passenger experience at Terminal 8, as part of our $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport,” added Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Across JFK, we are focused on creating a sense of place unique to New York with locally-owned concessions operating alongside national brands and public art that reflects the culture and traditions of the communities around the airport.”
Collaborating with Queens-based studio Vaughn Bentley Creative, the airport will showcase the work of six groups of artists, with the partners seeking to expand the opportunities for artist collaborations in the future.
URW Airports CEO Dany Nasr concluded: “The start of the construction phase marks an important milestone in the transformation of the Terminal 8 experience for American Airlines and its partners’ customers.”