Ohare Airport Property: Massive Scale, Massive Impact

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. Located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 14 to 17 miles (23-27 km) northwest of the Loop business district, O'Hare Airport covers a vast area of 7,200 to 7,627 acres (3,087 ha) or over 30 km². The airport's large size accommodates four passenger terminals with nine concourses and a total of 182 gates. O'Hare is a significant hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines and is renowned for its innovative design, including concourses, direct highway access to the terminals, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems.

O'Hare Airport covers 7,200 acres (or 7,600 acres according to other sources)

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 14 to 17 miles (23 to 27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. O'Hare Airport covers a vast area, spanning 7,200 acres according to some sources, while others state it covers 7,600 acres or even 7,627 acres.

The airport's history dates back to World War II when it started as a factory in 1942 for Douglas C-54 aircraft. After the war, the field was renamed Orchard Field Airport, and in 1949, the Chicago City Council renamed it Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The airport's namesake, Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, was a revered World War II fighter pilot and naval aviator who received the Medal of Honor for his service.

O'Hare Airport's size is impressive, with four passenger terminals, nine concourses, and a total of 182 gates. Its facilities include an underground pedestrian walkway connecting two of the concourses, illuminated by a neon light show. As the first major airport planned after World War II, O'Hare's design introduced innovative concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminals, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems.

The airport's expansion over the years has been significant. By April 1959, the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres with new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities. O'Hare became famous as the first "World's Busiest Airport" of the jet age, holding that title from 1963 to 1998. Today, it remains a significant aviation hub, serving as a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines. O'Hare's ongoing expansion and improvements continue to enhance its reputation as a world-class airport.

It is located 14 miles (23 km) from Chicago's Loop business district

O'Hare International Airport is located 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Chicago's Loop business district. Covering 7,627 acres (3,087 ha) or 11.25 square miles, it is one of the world's largest airports. The airport has four passenger terminals with nine concourses and a total of 182 gates. O'Hare's first international terminal opened in August 1958, and by April 1959, the airport had expanded to its current size of 7,200 acres (2,900 ha). The expressway link to downtown Chicago, now known as the Kennedy Expressway, was completed in 1960. New Terminals 2 and 3 opened on January 1, 1962.

The airport is known for its sophisticated facilities, including an underground pedestrian walkway connecting two concourses, brightened by a neon light show. O'Hare also provides passengers who are stranded overnight with a secure area featuring dimmed lights, cots, pillows, blankets, and toiletries.

O'Hare became the first airport in the world to build an apiary on its property. Every summer, it hosts up to 75 hives and a million bees. The bees are maintained by 30 to 40 ex-offenders recruited from Chicago's North Lawndale neighbourhood.

As the first major airport planned after World War II, O'Hare's design introduced innovative concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. It became the world's busiest airport in 1963, a distinction it held until 1998. Today, it is the world's sixth-busiest airport.

The airport has four passenger terminals, nine concourses, and 182 gates

Spanning over 30 square kilometres, O'Hare Airport is huge. To put that into context, it covers 7,200 acres, though some sources put that figure at 7,600 acres or even 7,627 acres. Because of its vast size, O'Hare has four passenger terminals, nine concourses, and 182 gates. An underground pedestrian walkway connects two of the concourses, illuminated by a neon light show. The airport also has a mid-century modern rotunda designed by architect Gertrude Kerbis in 1963, located between Terminals 2 and 3. The old 1960s-era control tower was designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei and is no longer in use.

O'Hare's first international terminal opened in 1958, and by 1959 the airport had expanded to its current size, with new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities. Terminals 2 and 3, designed by C.F. Murphy and Associates, opened on January 1, 1962. The airport is currently undergoing a massive expansion, with Studio Gang's Jeanne Gang selected to design a new Y-shaped terminal featuring groves of trees and native prairie landscaping.

O'Hare is unusual in that it serves as a hub for more than one of the three major US airlines. It is a large hub for both United Airlines, which is headquartered in Chicago, and American Airlines. As such, it offers non-stop flights to destinations in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

In addition to its role as a transportation hub, O'Hare also boasts world-class public art exhibits and entertainment. The airport provides passengers who are stranded overnight with a secure area featuring dimmed lights, cots, pillows, blankets, and toiletries. O'Hare was also the first major airport to build an apiary on its property, hosting up to 75 hives and a million bees each summer. The bees are maintained by 30 to 40 ex-offenders from Chicago's North Lawndale neighbourhood.

O'Hare has an apiary on its property, hosting 75 hives and a million bees each summer

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's northwest side, covers a vast area of 7,200 acres, or approximately 11.92 square miles (30.87 square kilometres). Within this substantial expanse, the airport boasts not just expansive runways and terminals but also a range of unexpected features, including world-class public art exhibits, an underground pedestrian walkway, and even an apiary.

O'Hare's apiary is a unique initiative, with the airport becoming the first major airport to establish such a feature on its property in 2011. Every summer, the apiary hosts up to 75 hives and a million bees, creating a buzzing ecosystem within the busy aviation hub. The bees are maintained by 30 to 40 ex-offenders from Chicago's North Lawndale neighbourhood, providing them with an opportunity to gain work experience and develop marketable skills.

The apiary is just one example of O'Hare's innovative approach to airport management and its commitment to social impact. By providing a home to bees, the airport contributes to the local ecosystem and promotes sustainability. Additionally, the apiary provides a unique educational opportunity for both employees and passengers alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of bees in our environment.

Beyond its role as a transportation hub, O'Hare International Airport showcases its commitment to environmental stewardship and community development through its apiary. The airport's size and scope have allowed for creative initiatives like this, enhancing its reputation as a world-class facility that goes beyond mere travel connections. O'Hare's apiary is a sweet reminder that even in the midst of a bustling airport, nature can find a home and positively impact the surrounding community.

The only hotel on the property is the Hilton Chicago O'Hare

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a major airport serving Chicago, Illinois, located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. The airport, named after revered WWII fighter pilot Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, spans over 30 square kilometres and covers 7,200 acres of land. O'Hare has four passenger terminals with nine concourses and a total of 182 gates. The only hotel on the property is the Hilton Chicago O'Hare, conveniently located between the terminal core and parking garage. The hotel is within walking distance of all domestic terminals and offers easy access to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via an underground walkway. A shuttle service is also available to Terminal 5, and downtown Chicago is just a 50-minute ride on the Blue Line.

The Hilton Chicago O'Hare provides a range of amenities and services for its guests. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a fully equipped business centre. Guests can enjoy all-day dining at the Andiamo restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine, or unwind at the 1920s-themed Gaslight Club, offering a selection of whiskeys and prime steaks. For a more casual experience, the Sports Edition Bar shows the latest games and provides beers and bar bites. The hotel also has a grab-and-go market, Café Mercato, for guests on the move.

The rooms at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare are equipped with high-speed internet access and 42-inch HD TVs. While the hotel is praised for its proximity to the airport and efficient shuttle service, some guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the outdated ambiance and worn furnishings. Reviews highlight the need for updated rooms and improved value for the price. However, the hotel's cleanliness has been consistently commended.

The Hilton Chicago O'Hare is an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers. With its convenient location, diverse dining options, and range of amenities, the hotel caters to the needs of its guests. Whether it's an early morning flight or an overnight layover, the Hilton Chicago O'Hare provides a comfortable and accessible stay within the vast expanse of the airport property.

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