Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Business Valet Parking Deck 1 & 2
This multi-phase parking program expanded Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s remote valet operations, providing the capacity and flexibility needed to support continued passenger growth while enhancing convenience and customer service.
LOCATION Charlotte, NC
COMPLETED 2015
SIZE 1,100,000 SF
PHOTOGRAPHER Stan Capps
DESIGN PARTNER The Wilson Group
Expanding Remote Parking Capacity
As demand for Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s curbside valet program increased, the airport implemented a long-term strategy to develop a remote parking campus approximately 1.5 miles from the terminal. Following a master plan developed by the LS3P/The Wilson Group team, the site was designed to accommodate up to four future parking structures, with the Business Valet Parking Deck serving as the first phase of development.
Completed in 2011, Phase I delivered a four-story, post-tensioned cast-in-place parking structure totaling approximately 1.1 million SF and 3,200 parking spaces. The facility includes a 6,000 SF Customer Service Center that serves as the operational hub for valet services, housing shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations, customer transaction counters, public restrooms, and administrative offices. Additional space was reserved to accommodate future services and customer amenities.
Building on the success of the original facility, Phase II was completed in 2015 and added a five-story parking structure with 4,000 additional spaces. Connected to the original deck by an elevated pedestrian bridge, the expansion was designed to accommodate future growth and can be expanded to provide an additional 1,500 parking spaces if needed. Together, the two phases provide approximately 6,200 parking spaces and create a scalable solution for the airport’s evolving parking demands.
Design Details
Both parking structures were designed with a focus on operational efficiency, intuitive circulation, and customer convenience. Separate cast-in-place concrete helical ramps manage vertical vehicle circulation, helping streamline traffic flow and simplify wayfinding throughout the facilities. Open-air stairwells and glass-enclosed elevator cores provide clear and visible paths for pedestrians while maximizing natural light and enhancing the user experience.
Located within the first parking deck, the Customer Service Center was designed to support efficient valet operations while offering a comfortable and convenient experience for travelers. A second-level location provides direct access to shuttle services and customer transaction areas, while a mezzanine level accommodates management offices and operational support functions.
Phase II was designed to reflect the architectural vocabulary established in the original structure, creating a cohesive identity across the expanding campus. The result is a flexible and efficient parking facility that supports airport operations, enhances customer service, and provides the capacity needed to accommodate future growth.
