Chicago’s $1.3 billion O’Hare International Airport Terminal 5 expansion and renovation has been completed, marking the end of four years of work to modernize the terminal. 

The project broke ground in 2019, with construction led by Austin Power Partners. The terminal’s capacity was increased by 25% to improve efficiency and reduce delays. Passenger amenity space was increased by 75%, and the existing building was expanded by around 350,000 square feet. Additional renovations were made to 750,000 square feet of the existing structure. 

HOK and Muller & Muller Ltd. led the redesign of the facilities, maintaining the original 1993 design while modernizing them for today's demands. Vaulted ceilings invite natural light and provide views across the airfield toward the Chicago skyline. The project also incorporated new sustainable technology throughout the terminal, including 40,000 square feet of high-performance glass, water efficiency measures that exceed Sustainable Airport Manual requirements, and new Energy Star roofing.

The East Concourse extension was bolstered with 10 new, wide-body gates, nine of which feature multiple aircraft systems (MARS) gates. These gates provide greater flexibility to accommodate both larger, wide-body aircraft and more traditional narrow-body planes. 

Ten renovated gates opened in the western wing of Terminal 5 in October 2022, which is now the new home of Delta Air Lines in O’Hare. In June 2022, crews also broke ground on a new, six-story parking garage at Terminal 5. When completed in 2024, it will more than double the amount of available parking at the terminal. Other landside improvements will include the re-striping of airport roadways to rebalance lane capacity and an expansion of the curbside area. The garage project is led by joint venture AECOM Hunt Clayco BOWA as Construction Manager at Risk. It was supported by 60 participating contractors, which included 14 minority-owned firms and 14 women-owned firms. 

“O’Hare is a significant economic engine for our entire region and the first impression of Chicago for millions of visitors every year,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “That's why we are especially proud to cut the ribbon to this expanded, modernized Terminal 5, which represents a major milestone in O’Hare’s curb-to-gate transformation into one of the great airports of the 21st century under the O’Hare 21 capital improvement program.” 

“Importantly,” Lightfoot added, “this project will also build on my administration’s and CDA's ongoing commitment and efforts to create equitable, economic opportunities for Black and Brown residents, businesses, and construction and development firms.” 

The new and revamped areas of Terminal 5 will feature an expanded selection of concessions. In May 2022, the Chicago City Council approved the largest set of concessions agreements at O’Hare in more than a decade. The new concessions are expected to open in phases throughout 2023.

The Terminal 5 expansion also features a partnership between the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for a $3.5 million public art plan. This is the city’s largest single acquisition of works by Chicago artists in 30 years. 

The undertaking at Terminal 5 is part of the broader O’Hare 21 capital improvement program, in which the entire airport will be reimagined with new terminals and concourses.