Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal A Shortlisted for Renowned UNESCO 2023 Prix Versailles Award

Recognition by World Panel Highlights Terminal’s Innovative Design and Connection to Local Culture

MORRISTOWN, NJ, October 12, 2023 – Newark Liberty International Airport's brand-new Terminal A has clinched a spot as a finalist for the distinguished 2023 Prix Versailles award, reflecting the terminal's pioneering design and its harmonious blend with regional heritage.

In an announcement made by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, it was revealed that Terminal A was nominated for this esteemed international accolade that celebrates top-tier new airport facilities across the globe. This nomination underscores the Port Authority's unwavering commitment to shaping state-of-the-art 21st-century airports that rival world-class facilities.

Opened earlier this year, the sprawling 1 million-square-foot Terminal A replaced its 50-year predecessor. This modern marvel boasts 33 gates, light-infused concourses, cutting-edge digital technology, plush passenger amenities, eclectic dining and shopping options, and a distinctive public art initiative highlighting numerous local artists. Furthermore, the terminal's design meets the rigorous standards of LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Port Authority Chairman, Kevin O’Toole, expressed immense pride in the nomination, emphasizing that Terminal A embodies the essence of "innovative technology, an infusion of local elements, and a flawless interior." He termed it as a pivotal stride in the comprehensive transformation of Newark Liberty.

Terminal A's architectural brilliance hasn't gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, SkyTrax acknowledged it as a contender for the 'Best New Airport Terminal in the World.'

The UNESCO-conferred Prix Versailles, inaugurated in 2015, champions "intelligent sustainability." Award recipients are recognized for their innovation, creativity, respect for local, natural, and cultural heritage, and values associated with ecological efficiency and social interaction. It's worth noting that LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B clinched this prominent honor in 2021.

Newark's Terminal A, vying for the top spot in the airports category, is among six global contenders. The World Judges Panel will announce the victors in December.

Adding another feather to its cap, Terminal A's construction is the result of a collaboration led by Tutor Perini/Parsons JV, with Grimshaw serving as the design architect, and STV as the executive architect.

Mark Husser, a partner at Grimshaw, shared his enthusiasm about the project, highlighting Terminal A's pivotal role in elevating the passenger experience at Newark. The terminal, apart from its cutting-edge facilities, features artwork that resonates with regional pride, including the expansive "Between Future Past" mural by artist Layqa Nuna Yawar and Karyn Olivier's "Approach."

Locality is also reflected in Terminal A’s dining and retail options, featuring establishments rooted in Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City.

Hosting five airlines, Terminal A, with its picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline, also houses lounges operated by United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines’ Admirals Club. A new lounge by American Express Centurion is slated to grace the terminal in 2026.

This nomination is just the beginning. The Port Authority is gearing up for a comprehensive revamp of the entire Newark Liberty International Airport, with projects in the pipeline that are set to redefine travel for New Jersey and the region.

For more information about redevelopment initiatives, visit the EWR Redevelopment website.