Possible new airside IAD lounge at base of historic control tower
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,480
Possible new airside IAD lounge at base of historic control tower
Today's MWAA board meeting materials include a presentation about a proposal to solicit bids to operate a new lounge at the base of IAD's original control tower. This could be very neat, since the drawings in the proposal note an observation deck. Other important points:
- About 9,100 square feet of space available
- The airport authority wants a minimum of $3 million invested in design and construction
- MWAA also wants $925,000 a year in revenue guaranteed, in the form of a 10% cut of gross receipts
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,503
Ironically, I was in the old tower this past weekend. That place would make a FABULOUS restaurant, bar and observation lounge and would generate swimming pools full of cash.
Unfortunately, the elevator doesn't meet current ada accessibility requirements and because its on the national register of historic places not much can be done to alter the place to make it accessible. One potential idea that has been floated is it might be possible to add an elevator on the outside of the tower (backside) but I suspect the cost is prohibitive in making it able to withstand weather and high winds.
ah, well....
Unfortunately, the elevator doesn't meet current ada accessibility requirements and because its on the national register of historic places not much can be done to alter the place to make it accessible. One potential idea that has been floated is it might be possible to add an elevator on the outside of the tower (backside) but I suspect the cost is prohibitive in making it able to withstand weather and high winds.
ah, well....
Last edited by Section 107; Apr 22, 2019 at 1:39 pm