$25 million Orion Jet Center designed by SchenkelShultz now open

The new $25 million Orion Jet Center Terminal and Hangars, designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture, offers state-of-the-art Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services and amenities at Miami’s Opa-Locka Executive Airport. As the centerpiece of the 45-acre campus, which is its first phase of a planned 215-acre mixed-use development, the 18,000 square foot executive terminal facility offers spacious passenger areas, administrative space, an executive suite, rental car kiosk, catering and a cafe.

The terminal’s design blends elements, forms and materials found in Miami’s historical buildings and takes subtle queues from other notable mid-century modern architecture to create a memorable experience that truly harkens back to the roots of Miami. Orion Jet Center is just minutes from downtown Miami, South Beach, Bal Harbour and Fort Lauderdale. SchenkelShultz’s design creates a strong sense of place reflective of South Florida, while also respecting the architectural integrity of the adjacent historic 1942 Naval hangar which Orion renovated in 2010. Also included are two new 40,000 square foot hangars with support facilities, a centralized parking lot and one of a kind landscaping that ties the entire development together.

In addition, SchenkelShultz has designed FBOs at numerous international airports for Signature Flight Support, including Palm Beach, Boston-Logan, Indianapolis, Newark, Palm Springs and San Francisco.

With 56 years of design excellence in aviation, education, justice and commercial facilities, SchenkelShultz is committed to incorporating sustainable design principles into every project. The firm’s portfolio includes 27 projects that are LEED Certified or Certified Green Globes projects.

A terminal modernization program can be a complicated and expensive task that airport operators may be hesitant to undertake unless necessitated by demands for increased capacity. This is the first post in our series examining why airport operators should bother to upgrade their facilities, even if capacity isn’t forcing the issue.