The list of five finalist teams includes some of the big-name bidders that responded to Chicago's O’Hare 21 Terminal Expansion Project RFP back in September:

• Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners
• Foster Epstein Moreno JV Joint Venture Partners
• Santiago Calatrava LLC
• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
• Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners

The group of well known firms that didn't make the cut includes Rafael Viñoly, Studio Fuksas, Bjarke Ingels Group, Gensler, HOK, Grimshaw Architects, Perkins+Will, and iconic Chicago firm Jahn, architects of O’Hare’s Terminal 1 in 1988 (as C.F. Murphy Associates).

"Chicago has called upon some of the world’s best designers to help carry out our vision for the new O’Hare Global Terminal—the key to a bigger, better and more modern O’Hare for the 21st century," commented Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on the selection. "As we look ahead to O’Hare’s future—we won’t forget Chicago’s legacy of architecture and transportation. By the end of this competition, we will change the trajectory of O’Hare forever, and ensure Chicago remains a leading hub for travelers around the world."

The city will seek public feedback in the coming months before making its final selection.