Queen Charlotte Statute Unveiled as Part of CLT East Terminal Lobby Expansion
The Terminal Lobby Expansion’s (TLE) east side will open by the end of the month, providing approximately 90,000 square feet of additional circulation space and access to the east subterranean walkway as Charlotte Douglas International Airport continues its $608 million signature project.
CLT on Oct. 20 unveiled the crown jewel of the development as the new home for the bronze statue of Queen Charlotte took its rightful place in the airport. The statue will be the first thing arriving passengers see as they approach Baggage Claim.
“It’s a wonderful day as Queen Charlotte is back to welcome visitors to her city once again,” said CLT Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry. “Through all the construction, the development and growth, Queen Charlotte has been the constant. We are thrilled to bring her back inside so she can faithfully watch as we continue to build an airport fit for the Queen.”
A private group known as the Queen’s Table donated $250,000 for a sculpture that would symbolize the city and greet those who pass through CLT. The sculpture was created by Washington, D.C., artist Raymond Kaskey and was dedicated to the Airport on Sept. 18, 1990. She was first installed between CLT’s original Hourly Decks in 1990 and relocated in 2013 between the Daily Decks to make room for construction of the new Hourly Parking Deck.
The 3,000-pound, 15-foot-tall bronze sculpture was transported to Carolina Bronze in Seagrove, N.C., in October 2021 for restoration and a repatina. She returned to CLT the following June and was positioned in her final stance on a 30-foot plinth and covered to protect the statue from the construction.
Features of the TLE east side include large, picturesque windows, terrazzo flooring throughout, bright blue tiles framing the entrances/exits and architectural-detailed scalloped ceilings.
In partnership with the Arts & Science Council, eight artists were selected to create pieces for the TLE. There are suspended sculptures, murals, as well as several other artistic touches throughout the lobby.
The TLE is part of Destination CLT, the Airport’s $4 billion capital investment program that includes concourse renovations and expansion of CLT’s roadways, curb front, the airfield and terminal.
Checkpoint 1 Opening Soon
By the end of the month, Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) Checkpoint 1 will open and Checkpoint D will close. Checkpoint 1 will have eight screening lanes, which includes six Automatic Screening Lanes. No other changes are anticipated to the security screening process until after the holiday travel season. Eventually, CLT will have three numbered security checkpoints.
CLT opened the west side of the TLE on July 27, 2022, as the first phase to debut to passengers.
The next phase of the TLE includes renovating the remainder of the original part of the lobby, finishing the 146,000-square-foot canopy that will protect people from bad weather while being dropped off in front of the terminal as well as overhead and subterranean walkways so visitors can bypass airport traffic.
The TLE will increase the current lobby space by 175,000 square feet and renovating another 191,000 square feet.
Airport Introduces First Pre-Security Restaurant
The Queen’s Court, a large gathering space open from floor to ceiling, is drenched in natural light. Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen, the airport’s first pre-security sit-down dining option, debuted Oct. 13 near the sculpture. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as wine, beer and cocktails.
