About the Project
The Great Hall Project is one of DEN’s capital improvement projects that will help the airport prepare for the future by enhancing security, improving operational efficiency and increasing capacity of the Jeppesen terminal. The Jeppesen Terminal was originally designed to accommodate 50 million passengers, but in 2019, DEN served 69 million passengers. DEN is quickly recovering from the pandemic and is expected to serve approximately 70 million passengers in 2022 and reach 100 million passengers in approximately 10 years. The Great Hall project is vital for DEN’s success in preparing for this growth and is part of DEN’s Vision 100 plan.
The Great Hall project consists of three phases. The first two phases will be completed within the original $770 million budget. The first two phases of the project strictly focus on building a new ticketing/check-in space for some of our airlines as well as one new security checkpoint in the northwest corner of Level 6. The Completion Phase, the third and final phase of the project will complete the full build-out of the Jeppesen Terminal, bringing it up-to-speed for future growth and critical infrastructure needs. The project is not focused on retail and will not be a “mall” rather the project will improve operations and passenger flow.
Phase 1
DEN celebrated the completion of Phase 1 on Oct. 27, 2021, less than 20 months after Hensel Phelps resumed work on the project. Hensel Phelps not only met every milestone and finished on schedule, but also under budget.
This first phase of the project renovated the center portion of Jeppesen Terminal on Levels 5 and 6 to create new check-in space for United, Southwest and eventually Frontier Airlines. The renovations created a more modern check-in experience and added more capacity in the terminal, improving operational efficiency.
The completion of Phase 1 brings many features and benefits for passengers including:
- More space! An additional 31,000 square feet of space for the Jeppesen Terminal as well as approximately 158,500 square feet of newly renovated space
- Modernized spaces with flexibility for the future! New ticketing areas in the center of Level 6 with 86 automated self-bag drop units (43 on each side) to make the to streamline the check-in process
- Better bathrooms! Four new restrooms with upgrades to existing restrooms
Phase 2
This phase kicked off in July 2021 and enhances security by building a new security checkpoint on Level 6 in the northwest corner of the Jeppesen Terminal. The new security checkpoint will have improved technology and a new queuing concept that will provide more effective and efficient security. Construction on the new checkpoint is scheduled to be complete in Q1 2024.
Specifically Phase 2 includes the following improvements:
- New security checkpoint on the northwest side of Level 6
- Widened balcony for more capacity and space at the new checkpoint
- A new triple escalator from Level 6 security checkpoint to Level 4 train platform
- Installation of new escalator on west curbside
Great Hall Completion Phase
In January of 2022 DEN received approval from Denver City Council to move forward with the Great Hall Completion Phase. DEN has begun the design process and is preparing for construction to begin later this year!
The Completion Phase approved by Denver City Council includes the following:
- Improved safety for passengers. A new security checkpoint with enhanced technology on the northeast side of Level 6. With the completion of this second checkpoint, both the checkpoints on Level 5 will be relocated to Level 6. At the same time, this will enable DEN to add more screening lanes, increasing capacity by more than 60%.
- Modern and spacious ticketing spaces. New check in areas will be built on the south end of Level 6 for all remaining airlines. These modular spaces will provide greater flexibility for future airline expansion and other changing needs in the future.
- Upgraded facility. The project will renovate restrooms, replace flooring, lighting, elevators/escalators, etc. These improvements will save DEN approximately $200-250 million in maintenance costs over 10 years.
- Comfortable spaces to meet and greet travelers. This includes both domestic and international arrivals on Level 5.
- Developing a pipeline of aviation talent. A new Center of Excellence and Equity in Aviation will be constructed on Level 4 of the Westin Denver International Airport. The Center will engage, educate, empower, motivate, and provide opportunities for under-represented students and young people who are interested and passionate about careers in aviation. It will help build a future skilled workforce and become a focal point for aviation knowledge and best practices.
This $1.3 billion Great Hall Completion phase will begin in 2022 and is expected to be complete in summer 2028 with sections opening along the way. DEN is committed to minimizing the impact that construction has on passengers. Read more about the Great Hall Completion Phase here.”