First Phase of SFO Terminal 3 Project Completed

The new Terminal 3 Boarding Area E at San Francisco International Airport, built with all union labor. Image courtesy of SFO.

Renovation of United Airlines Boarding Area Built All-Union

San Francisco International Airport officials led a tour of the airport’s newly renovated Terminal 3 Boarding Area E January 17 for San Mateo County labor leaders and union members. The new T3 Boarding Area was built with union labor under a Project Labor Agreement. Union general contractor Hensel Phillips began work on the $138 million project in 2012 and completed work in December 2013.

Tony Breslin, SFO’s Project Manager for Design and Construction, said that the construction trades worked over 308,000 hours on the project and said, “all your crews made the project go well.” Breslin said the Boarding Area “grew out and up”—adding about 17,000 square feet and raising the ceilings to a height of 22 feet. SFO Chief of Staff Julian Potter pointed out the amenities like new and comfortable furniture, a children’s play area, rows of desk space for computer connections, and expanded bathrooms. They noted that the airport’s Terminal 2 is the highest revenue producing terminal in the U.S., and T3 will also include dining and retail establishments that will bring in revenue. Crews were loading in equipment for the concessions and completing the final touches on the interior on the day of the tour.

A press release from SFO reported that the project has “completely transformed the boarding area to meet the needs of today’s modern travelers.” The building was designed by Gensler architects to, “showcase innovative design, interactive technology and a healthy environment carefully tuned to offer travelers a place where they will enjoy spending time,” according to Gensler. The use of natural lighting, uninterrupted views, and inclusion of retail and dining venues is intended to create a cohesive, relaxing space for passengers. A raised “Flight Deck” interactive experience will serve as a physical point of entry to Boarding Area E, which will include 10 gates serving United Airlines.

Originally built in 1981, Boarding Area E was renovated through a design-build partnership between Hensel Phelps, Gensler and the KPA Group. The new boarding area will be able to accommodate customers on more than 50 arrivals and 50 departures each day.

The 65,000-square-foot renovation features sustainable design and building elements, and is seeking LEED-Gold certification. The new passenger Boarding Area E employs full-height glass walls and skylights for ample natural lighting, with high-performance glazing on the exterior of the building to help reduce glare and solar heat. The building also features natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels, solar water heaters, and radiant ceiling panels. Locally-sourced materials and sustainable building materials such as tile from Marin county, terrazzo flooring with recycled glass chips, recycled-content carpet, and wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, were used on the project.

“SFO continues to push the envelope for modern, sustainable design that exceeds expectations and redefines the travel experience,” said John L. Martin, Director of San Francisco International Airport. “Beautifully and intuitively designed, Terminal 3E is a showcase of the best of San Francisco—from locally grown retail and dining options, to the best technology for travelers, to works of art by local artists.”

Boarding Area E, the first phase of Terminal 3’s renovation, is home to United Airlines and opened to travelers on January 28, 2014. The renovation of Terminal 3 East is a capital program that includes the 68,000-square foot Boarding Area E, the eastern pier of Terminal 3; and the 150,000-square foot connecting eastern concourse to Boarding Area F. The next phase of the T3E project will be the connecting concourse between Boarding Area E and Boarding Area F. With a budget of $209 million, this portion of the project will re-open in phases between July 2014 and July 2015.

Feb. 2014

An architectural rendering showing part of the new Terminal 3 Boarding Area E.

Photos below: Building Trades union members put the finishing touches on the San Francisco International Airport’s newly renovated Terminal 3 Boarding Area E on Jan. 17

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