CHICAGO — The City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) have officially broken ground on Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, marking the commencement of a transformative expansion project.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CT, with the collaborative design team led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in partnership with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup.
This new building will serve as the first significant achievement in O’Hare’s ambitious ORDNext expansion, which aims to facilitate the airport’s substantial growth and enhance passenger experiences for over 80 million visitors annually.
Commissioner Michael McMurray of the CDA emphasized the importance of Concourse D during the ceremony, stating, “By breaking ground on Concourse D, we are taking a critical first step toward enhancing how the airport welcomes and serves more than 80 million passengers each year.”
He elaborated on the potential of ORDNext, which is part of the O’Hare 21 capital program, designed to elevate passenger experiences, improve connections between domestic and international flights, and expand the airport’s footprint.
The $1.3 billion project is not only the first new building in the ORDNext initiative but also represents a visionary approach to reimagining the airport experience, spanning from curbside arrival to aircraft gate.
Once completed, Concourse D will emerge as one of the nation’s pioneering domestic-international codeshare concourses, equipped to accommodate various aircraft types and streamline operations, particularly benefiting passengers in transit.
Renderings released for the concourse reveal a commitment to designing light-filled public spaces that prioritize the traveler experience.
Scott Duncan, Design Partner at SOM, remarked, “Our vision for the new Concourse D considers the entire passenger journey from curb to gate. From skylit spaces to orchard-inspired columns, every element contributes to a bright, easy-to-navigate environment designed to elevate the travel experience and leave a lasting impression of O’Hare.”
Central to the design is a multi-level space featuring an oculus that channels natural light into the lower levels, which will greet travelers entering from Concourse C or a new underground tunnel connecting to the forthcoming O’Hare Global Terminal.
This central node is intended to serve as a welcoming threshold for travelers, aiding in their navigation throughout the concourse.
The layout of Concourse D is characterized by soft, flowing lines inspired by the oxbow bends of nearby Midwestern rivers, creating distinct zones for relaxation, dining, shopping, and play.
Landscaped areas also define the various amenity zones, celebrating the natural beauty of the Midwest through an eclectic palette of colors, textures, and plantings.
An airline club lounge situated on the upper floor will provide sweeping views of the connecting gates, further enhancing the passenger experience.
Moreover, the concourse boasts a structural system that minimizes the number of vertical supports, using branching columns resembling the orchards that once surrounded the airport.
This design not only improves sightlines across the concourse but also enhances the open and airy atmosphere for travelers.
Tailored to the Midwest’s climate, the contours and overhangs of the roof play a critical role in temperature regulation, while the thoughtful structure reduces embodied carbon, contributing to sustainable innovations.
The southern end of the concourse features a spacious, bright area framed by a double-height glazed wall that offers stunning views of the airfield and the iconic Chicago skyline.
This inviting space acts as a calming retreat and is flanked by six gate lounges and two concession zones, promoting opportunities for passengers to relax, socialize, or concentrate before boarding.
Emphasizing comfort and practicality, the area includes varied seating options with integrated charging stations, catering to diverse traveler needs.
Options range from group-sized benches to café-style tables and raised seating with counters designed for work.
The construction of Concourse D is being meticulously coordinated by a partnership involving the SOM-led design team, the City of Chicago, and construction manager AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, who joined the project in 2024.
This collaborative effort has helped the project remain on schedule and within budget, with an expected completion target set for late 2028.
Simultaneously, planning efforts are already underway for Concourse E, the second satellite facility, designed by the same innovative team, thereby continuing the momentum of the expansion program.
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Founder and Design Principal of Ross Barney Architects, expressed pride in working collaboratively on the design of Concourse D. She stated, “We champion the transformative power of thoughtfully designed public spaces — especially within the vibrant hub of an international gateway like O’Hare.”
Ross Barney anticipates that travelers will engage with and find inspiration in the new environments that will emerge.
Juan Gabriel Moreno, President of JGMA, also shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are honored to join the legacy of visionary architects who have helped shape O’Hare by enriching the passenger experience with a design that is bold, inclusive, and authentically Chicago.”
Cierine Nicolas, Principal and Project Director at Arup, remarked on the project’s significance, stating, “This milestone marks a significant step in the future of O’Hare, exemplifying a shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience at one of the nation’s busiest airports.”
Arup is dedicated to delivering multidisciplinary engineering and consulting services that aim to realize transformative projects for the City of Chicago.
As O’Hare International Airport embarks on this exciting new chapter with the development of Concourse D, stakeholders are optimistic about the future trajectory of one of the busiest air travel hubs in the United States.
Through innovative design and a commitment to enhancing passenger experiences, the undertaking is poised to reflect the vibrant spirit of Chicago and set a benchmark in airport architecture across the nation.
image source from：e-architect
