Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava said his designs for the first phase of Denver International Airport’s development immediately south of the terminal will complement the airport’s best-known architectural element — the central building’s white-tented roof.
The DIA tent delivers an important image all over the world, Calatrava said, adding that he was conscious of preserving and protecting the airport’s existing architecture and view corridors as he designed the south-area complex.
“We have given our best to create a dialogue between the two buildings in a complementary basis to respect the iconic view of the tent,” Calatrava said of the interplay between his structures and the terminal, which was designed by Denver architect Curt Fentress.
The south-area project’s first phase, which is expected to cost as much as $650 million, includes a commuter-rail station, a public plaza that links to the terminal, and a 500-room Westin hotel.
Calatrava said the way the plaza’s canopy enters the area under the terminal tent “without touching it is a real declaration of respect” for Fentress’ design.
On Thursday, Fentress’ office said he had no comment at this time on Calatrava’s designs.
DIA manager Kim Day said the airport later will consider a second phase of the south-area project, costing up to $250 million, that could include a reshuffling of functions in the terminal’s Great Hall, including a move of security checkpoints to new locations on the sixth level where airline ticket counters currently reside.
On Thursday, Calatrava met with local government and business leaders, and he used pencil and watercolors to sketch the inspiration for his designs.
“The tipping point for this project is having incredible functionality with great design,” said Visit Denver president Richard Scharf, after seeing Calatrava’s presentation.
Ever sensitive to the budget crisis gripping Denver and other local governments, Day told the gathering that “no general fund money or city tax dollars will be used on this project.”
She said the airport will develop a plan of finance to pay for the project’s first phase and take it to the Denver City Council by early fall.
Airlines at DIA have expressed some concern in the past about possible excessive spending on capital projects by the airport that could drive up the carriers’ rates and charges.
“We assure the airlines that we will not do anything that negatively impacts our airline partners,” Day said.
After viewing Calatrava’s presentation, Southwest Airlines properties manager Steve Hubbell said, “We obviously are very concerned about the potential costs of these projects.”
“We need to have a better understanding of how this is going to impact the rates and charges,” he added, saying that DIA “is working with the airlines” to determine the project’s financial implications.
“They are being transparent; they are being collaborative,” Hubbell said of DIA officials.
Day said the south-area project includes at least 100,000 square feet of retail and other concession space that — along with the hotel — will generate revenue and help offset the cost of the project.
Calatrava’s design calls for the hotel-train station-plaza complex to dominate the view of the terminal from the south, but those traveling to DIA will retain a view of the terminal tent through a low, saddle-like space between the hotel’s two towers.
The south-area project also includes a commuter-rail bridge — over Peña Boulevard just east of the E-470 interchange — that will accommodate the $1.2 billion East Corridor train from Union Station to DIA. Train service is expected to start in 2016.
DIA still must determine whether it can afford the Calatrava-designed commuter-rail bridge.
The airport has proposed “enhancing” RTD’s design for the bridge and paying the difference between the “base price” the Regional Transportation District will budget for the bridge and what it would cost to build it according to Calatrava’s design.
RTD recently selected a consortium of private companies to build the East Corridor rail line under a public-private partnership.
On Aug. 12, RTD and the firms will be able to identify the amount of money they have for the rail bridge after they complete financial terms of the public-private partnership, said RTD spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas.
Jeffrey Leib: 303-954-1645 or jleib@denverpost.com
