As the second largest city in the United States by population, the bustling Los Angeles metropolitan area is not unaccustomed to the constant flow of those passing through. After all, the bumper-to-bumper 5 o’clock traffic is integral to understanding how one should proceed with each day. But when the avenues finally dissipate and shake their weight, the hum of commercial planes persists. In Los Angeles, it feels like someone is always on the fly to somewhere else.
Today, Hollywood Burbank Airport officially opens its long-anticipated brand-new terminal, known as “Elevate BUR.” Working alongside Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA), the initiative to advocate for safer, modern, and more convenient facilities at the Hollywood Burbank Airport was approved. Ten years later, the new 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal is opening its doors to the everyday hustle of Los Angeles air travel.
The terminal features new and renovated amenities, including a variety of options for shopping and dining, upgraded restrooms, and larger common areas to move about. Added distance between airport runways and the terminal building is implemented to improve access and safety of passengers and employees. A new parking structure with EV charging and a new on-airport access road ensures easy pick-ups and drop-offs while ticket lobbies, baggage screening systems, and updated TSA checkpoints promise greater efficiency.
In addition to logistics, the new terminal boasts beauty and style that’s long been associated with Los Angeles. “What you’ll notice on this project is the mid-century modern look,” says David Huor, a Project Manager at Corgan and the Architect of Record and lead designer on the project. “It takes a lot of cues and inspiration from the old Hollywood days, so a lot of glitz and glamor. We’ve got V columns, also known as spotlight columns, to represent the old searchlights from the old Hollywood premiere days. The sweeping screen and canopy you see here is meant to evoke the silver screen, the movies. And the perforation pattern on the ceiling is inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ dress.” Huor, continuing on the aesthetic integrity outside of the building, explains of the landscape of native plants, “We wanted to create a more inviting feeling as you come into the airport. Most airports you come into are concrete jungles, but the landscaping and rolling hills you see here are meant to give the airport a more natural, welcoming feeling.”
Ahead of its official opening today, the Hollywood Burbank Airport hosted a series of simulations for potential passengers, teasing how bag check, security, and much more will operate when the new terminal opens to the Los Angeles public on October 13. To capture what the word is on the street, FLAUNT’s Gilberto Ortiz interviewed the simulation participants—those passionate and representative of a larger Los Angeles jet set on staying afoot.
What were your first thoughts or opinions about the new terminal when you first heard about it, and are they any different today?
SYDNEY, AGE 24, TEACHER: When I first heard about it—I’m not going to lie—part of me was a little bit like, dang. If you’re from the area and you’ve flown out of Burbank regularly, which I have for the past 10 or 12 years, it’s kind of the niche underground secret of LA. It was obviously a little bit dated, but it was nice because you didn’t have a lot of heavy traffic coming in and out. There was something nice about the fact that it felt stuck in the past, and it’s a nice alternative to LAX. So when I heard they were doing it, I thought, shoot, now there are going to be tons of people there, and it’s going to be so much more congested.
But as the project went on, seeing sneak peeks of it and now being here, I think they did a really great job. As I was pulling up, I felt like they were still able to capture that small airport essence. It looks significantly better than it used to. When I drove in, I thought the landscape was so insane.
In the short time I’ve been walking through here, it’s very easy to navigate and doesn’t feel overwhelming. They still have the carpet, which reminds me of the old terminal for sure. Honestly, it has surpassed my expectations.
JACKSON COOPER, AGE 28, MUSIC PRODUCER: I don’t really have any thoughts, but showing up, I really like the greenery as you’re driving in. I thought using native California plants to make it a little bit greener was nice. I want more trees in the Valley. There’s so much cement. It’s a good look for us. I like it.
JANE HAHN, AGE 47, CREATIVE DIRECTOR IN THE ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, AND TECH INDUSTRIES: I was excited to hear that they were going to expand and renovate it. I live just 20 minutes away in North Hollywood, so I didn’t think much of it. I just thought, great, they’re making it better. But coming here today, it has definitely exceeded my expectations, because it’s very beautiful, which I didn’t expect. It feels a lot more modern than any other airport I’ve been in. Even the board that shows all the departing flights is designed differently, which I appreciate as a creative director. It’s more reader-friendly and more visually pleasing.
I think travel is so much a part of how you feel. A lot of fashion magazines depict travel because it’s all about lifestyle, the way you feel, and the destination you’re going to. So I pay attention to these things. For example, when I checked in, I noticed every check-in kiosk has its own place to weigh your baggage, which I’ve never seen before. I don’t know if that means they’ll catch overweight bags more easily, since they usually let you go a pound over, but I thought it was impressive to have a little weighing station beside each kiosk. That was at Alaska, so I don’t know what the others look like.
I also visited the bathrooms, and they’re gorgeously designed. I paid attention to the tiling, the modern vertical tiles in that green-blue color. It had a little retro vibe, which I appreciated. It’s not just a generic bathroom. So overall, it has exceeded my expectations.
LAUREN BENNETT, AGE 29, INTEGRATED WASTE PLANNER, CITY OF GLENDALE: When I first heard about it, I was a little nervous because I know the old building is so historic, and I like the small feel of the old Burbank Airport. I was a little worried they were going to make it too big. But after being here, it still feels very cozy. It’s very nice, new, and fancy, but I like that it still has that small feel.
STEVEN BLUSTEIN, AGE 63, RETIRED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: My first thoughts were that I was very excited, thinking it’s about time. And this is a crazy beautiful, world-class terminal. It doesn’t look like there’s a lounge in here, though, so I wish there was an airport lounge. That would be a cool addition.
What are you excited for the public to experience about the terminal when it officially opens?
JASON VAN PATTEN, AGE 39, CITY PLANNER: I think it’s pretty rare to have a brand new airport, so having a whole new facility is pretty unique. I think the community will enjoy that, with everything brand new, and all the new facilities will be nice for everyone.
JANE HAHN, AGE 47, CREATIVE DIRECTOR IN THE ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, AND TECH INDUSTRIES: It’s just so new, modern, and easy. I think it’s going to get a really great reception. I also think LA needs another airport. LAX is a nightmare, so this will help spread out the traffic a little.
JACKSON COOPER, AGE 28, MUSIC PRODUCER: I think it’s going to make traveling out of Burbank a lot more enjoyable, and it feels a little more updated, because the old one felt too dated. This feels like actually traveling in the 21st century. Before, it felt like 1999.
How do you think the new terminal will impact Burbank, and what does that mean for travel within LA?
LAUREN BENNETT, AGE 29, INTEGRATED WASTE PLANNER, CITY OF GLENDALE: I think it’ll bring a lot of new people here. Everyone goes to LAX, but having people come into the Valley and explore the area here would be really nice.
STEVEN BLUSTEIN, AGE 63, RETIRED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: I think it will impact the area positively. It looks bigger, so maybe there’s an opportunity for even more flights to different places and longer distances. Not having to go to LAX would definitely be a plus.
JASON VAN PATTEN, AGE 39, CITY PLANNER: I think people will probably look toward this airport for routes more than they did in the past. This is probably good for the San Gabriel Valley and Burbank area, because people will use this airport versus other options, and there’s transportation through Burbank Bus, Metrolink, and other regional transit that will help. So I think people may use it more often than before.
Photographed by Exavier Castro.
Written by Jace Evans.
Interviews by Gilberto Ortiz.
Source: www.flaunt.com
