Here’s everything we know about the San Diego airport’s new Terminal 1

There’s a lot to learn about San Diego International Airport’s newest terminal.

Years in the making, the new Terminal 1 opens on Sept. 23 with restaurant offerings, shops, public art and other features that are completely new to the airport. And this is just the first phase.

Some area travel enthusiasts already got to see it during an open house event held for the public on Sept. 14. For those who haven’t seen it, or who want to know more, here’s an overview of all the recent reporting on T1 from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

An early look

From elegantly designed restrooms adorned with mosaic glass tile and an outdoor dining area with downtown skyline views to swivel chairs that line the glass wall of the concourse-level gates, the new building is a dramatic change from a terminal that was never designed to accommodate the 10 million passengers that now pass through it each year.

Read more: Best things we saw inside San Diego airport’s new Terminal 1

Photos

History

How the public views Terminal 1 will change in late September when the first phase of its remodel opens. The $3.8 billion modernization effort has been one of the most anticipated public works projects in San Diego in decades.

When it opened, Terminal 1 was just called “the new terminal” and, in many ways, the history of Terminal 1 is simply the history of the airport.

Here are a few key dates in the history of Terminal 1.

Read more here: How San Diego went from a single field to a major airport with new terminal

A new road

A new three-lane roadway entirely bypasses Harbor Drive and deliver motorists directly to Terminals 1 and 2. The on-airport road — entirely free of stoplights — not only promises to provide quicker, more direct access to the airport’s two terminals but it’s also estimated to remove 45,000 cars a day from North Harbor Drive, which should also be a bonus for those not heading to the San Diego International Airport.

Read more here: New road promises direct and quicker access to San Diego airport 

Parking

The airport opened up its new five-story T1 Parking Plaza. In total, there are now roughly 8,500 parking spots at the airport. Travelers can pay for parking at the plaza or reserve spots online ahead of time.

Read more here: San Diego International Airport just added 2,400 more parking spots 

Restaurants

As part of the airport’s nearly $4 billion Terminal 1 renovation project, local restaurants, cafes, fast food chains and specialty stores are landing inside.

Foodies will find that 18 of the 21 food and beverage venues will originate from local brands. For the first phase of the new 19-gate terminal, just one of the 12 bars and restaurants will be a national chain — McDonald’s.

Read more here: A guide to the restaurants in San Diego airport’s new Terminal 1

Food in San Diego airport’s new terminal is local, local, local — although there is one McDonald’s

Shopping

Travelers who want to shop while they wait for a flight at the new Terminal 1 will have several options. San Diego International Airport will have five specialty stores.

Read more here: 5 new specialty stores for shoppers at San Diego airport’s new Terminal 1

Art

At the airport, art is part of a long-standing ethos — a philosophy that’s deeply rooted in community and designed to foster and nurture connection. In the last few years, that commitment to the arts has been front and center, especially in the countless live performances, activations and exhibitions at Terminal 2.

At the new $3.8 billion Terminal 1, that promise continues to be realized in the form of six commissioned works of art, a new art gallery and several pieces from the old Terminal 1 finding more prominent homes in the state-of-the-art space.

Read more here: 9 things to know about public art at San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1

Architecture

To the naked eye, it is hard not to marvel at the new Terminal 1 in comparison to its predecessor, but how experts view it might be different than the average Joe.

The public was recently offered their first view of the terminal ahead of its opening next week. Daniela Deutsch, the dean of architecture at downtown’s NewSchool of Architecture & Design, came to the event with The San Diego Union-Tribune to give her initial thoughts.

Read more here: ‘Bringing us into the future’: An independent architect’s thoughts on San Diego airport’s new Terminal 1