The Height Of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as Wold-Chamberlain Field, is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Minnesota, United States. It is situated within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul and is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest. The airport's history dates back to 1919 when it was a speedway field, and the first hangar was constructed in 1920. Today, the airport boasts two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), with a total of 131 gates between them. While the exact height of the airport building is unclear, the airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation over the years, including the addition of jet bridges and a moving walkway.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport: a joint civil-military airport

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field, is a joint civil-military airport. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is centrally located and is the largest and busiest airport in the Upper Midwest region of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The airport is a joint civil-military facility, hosting commercial flights from major American and international airlines, as well as several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. It is also used by various air cargo operators. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and generates an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy, supporting around 87,000 workers.

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines. Delta Air Lines and its regional affiliates account for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) containing 117 gates across seven concourses, and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) containing 14 gates. The terminals are located about a mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5.

The airport is currently undergoing a $2.8 billion expansion program, which includes improvements to the airfield, terminals, and parking facilities. The history of the airport dates back to 1919 when it was known as Speedway Field, and the first hangar was constructed in 1920 for airmail services. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, with the current Terminal 1 building being completed in 1962.

The InterContinental Hotel at the Minneapolis - St. Paul Airport features a distinctive "folded curtain" wall that evokes the waters of Minnesota's famous lakes. The hotel's design incorporates local Kasota stone and Cold Spring granite, mirroring the contemporary aesthetic of the airport while connecting to the region's distinctive style and material palette.

Terminal 1: completed in 1962, with 24 gates

Terminal 1 of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field) was completed on January 13, 1962, and operations began on January 21. The terminal, then referred to as the New Terminal, was designed by Lyle George Landstrom and built at a cost of US$8.5 million. It featured a 600,000-square-foot (56,000 m2) building with 24 gates across two concourses.

The terminal has undergone significant changes and expansions over the years. In 1971, Pier D (originally the Gold Concourse, now Concourse G) was added, followed by Pier A (formerly the Green Concourse, now Concourse C) in 1972. These additions included rebuilding the existing concourses to include bi-level structures with holding rooms and jet bridges. The Gold Concourse was expanded in 1986, introducing the airport's first moving walkway.

In the early 2000s, Terminal 1 saw further expansion with the addition of Concourses A and B in 2002 as part of a $250 million terminal expansion project. This was followed by a $17.5 million extension of Concourse C, adding six additional gates, which opened in October 2002.

By 2022, Terminal 1 had undergone numerous renovations and additions since its original construction, increasing the building size by more than 2.4 million square feet. The terminal now accommodates tens of millions of passengers annually, a significant expansion from its original design capacity of 1.8 million passengers.

The terminal continues to evolve, with ongoing enhancements and improvements to the facilities. In 2022, the airport celebrated the 60th anniversary of Terminal 1, highlighting its transformation and continued modernization to meet the needs of travellers.

Terminal 2: used by low-cost carriers and international airlines

Terminal 2 at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is used by low-cost carriers and international airlines. The terminal was first built in 1986 and then rebuilt in 2001. It has since been expanded and now has a total of 14 gates.

The terminal is used by a variety of low-cost and international airlines, including Minnesota-based Sun Country and Southwest, as well as Condor, Icelandair, and JetBlue.

In addition to hosting commercial flights, MSP also supports several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. The airport is also used by a variety of air cargo operators.

MSP offers a range of dining options for travellers in Terminal 2, including a premium, local coffee house featuring handcrafted beverages and food, and a modern bistro marketplace offering fresh gourmet pizza, locally sourced salads and sandwiches, and a broad selection of grab-and-go items.

The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The two terminals are located about one mile apart and are accessed from separate exits on Minnesota State Highway 5.

InterContinental Minneapolis: a 12-story building with a folded curtain wall

The InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is a 12-story building with a folded curtain wall. The wall is made of glass and is designed to mimic the waters of Minnesota's famous lakes. The exterior is wrapped in folded curtain glass that is lit with shimmering blue LED lights, reflecting the state's 10,000 lakes. The building's unique design features a palette of stone, wood, and glass, mirroring the natural landscape of Minnesota with its lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and warm woods.

The InterContinental Minneapolis was designed by RSP Architects, a Minneapolis-based firm, in collaboration with Graves Hospitality. The hotel is located just steps away from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and offers convenient access to the Mall of America. It is the first and only hotel at the airport, offering 291 luxurious guest rooms, including nine suites, and various amenities such as restaurants, bars, and a spa.

The folded curtain wall of the InterContinental Minneapolis is not just an aesthetic feature but also serves a functional purpose. The large panes of glass provide expansive views of the surrounding nature reserve, the Mississippi River, and the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The use of local materials, such as Kasota stone and Cold Spring granite, creates a connection to the local region's style and material palette.

The interior design of the hotel continues the theme of blending international flair with Midwest style. The two-story lobby features Minnesota-mined Kasota stone, wood, and leather, with a custom-designed light fixture adding movement and intimacy to the space. The guest rooms offer modern finishes, warm neutral colours, and a mix of stone and wood veneer, creating a sophisticated and residential ambiance.

The InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is more than just a hotel; it is a destination that showcases the unique architecture and design of the region. Through its innovative design, the hotel offers guests a seamless transition from the airport to a luxurious and comfortable stay, making it a signature destination for travellers seeking an ultra-luxury experience.

The airport's history: from speedway track to international airport

The airports history: from speedway track to international airport

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota, United States. It is situated within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is a joint civil-military public international airport serving the Twin Cities.

The airport was once a speedway track known as the Snelling Speedway. In 1914, the auto-racing venue was acquired by the Minneapolis Aero Club, which constructed the first hangar, a wooden structure, in 1920 to accommodate airmail services. The 160-acre property became known as Speedway Field. In 1923, the airport was renamed Wold-Chamberlain Field in honour of two local pilots, Ernest Wold and Cyrus Chamberlain, who lost their lives in combat during World War I.

In 1926, the airport became home to Northwest Airways, which won the government's airmail contract and acquired the airport's only hangar. In 1929, Speedway Field was taken over by the Minneapolis Park Board, and passenger services began.

With the arrival of international service, the airport underwent its final name change in 1948, becoming the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In 1958, ground was broken for the construction of Terminal 1, which opened to the public in 1962. The terminal was designed to serve four million passengers a year by 1975, but passenger growth far exceeded projections, with over 4.1 million people using the airport by 1967.

To accommodate the growing passenger numbers, the Minnesota legislature passed the Metropolitan Airport Planning Act in 1989, establishing the Dual Track Airport Planning Process. This led to the expansion of Terminal 1, the construction of a new Terminal 2, and various other improvements, including expanded roadways and parking, two automated airport trams, and a light-rail system connecting both terminals to the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Today, MSP is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest, generating an estimated $15.9 billion a year for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting 87,000 workers. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and the home of local low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines. The airport has two terminals with a total of 131 gates and handles both commercial flights from major American and international airlines, as well as military operations for the United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard.

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