We already know the ZGF-designed expansion of the main terminal at Portland International Airport (PDX) made a very cool airport even cooler.
Now the amenities and features in the new terminal space, most notably the 9-acre mass timber roof, have inspired a fun rap video.
“‘PDX (Wooden Roof),” described in a press release as “the first and only rap video about the Portland International Airport’s mass timber roof,” debuted in April at a state travel conference held in Portland and is an original collaboration between DJ Avelanche, The Mayoress, Mike Likes Science, and Karma Rivera.
The video is joyous and fun. It shows off so many of the great new PDX Airport features, including the beloved PDX Carpet. And it is, hands down, the best love song to an airport and an airport roof ever.
Stuck at the Airport declares this The Airport Amenity of the Week.
Everyone loves the greenery, the 9-acre mass timber roof, outposts of beloved local shops and restaurants, the comfy lounging spots sporting bits of the famed PDX carpet and the fact that the coolest new amenities are pre-security.
Now there’s one more reason to make a beeline to PDX even if you’re not flying.
PDX now has a speakeasy bar, called Aurora, hidden inside Loyal Legion, the pre-security beer hall on the mezzanine level.
The celestial-inspired bar is named after the Roman goddess of dawn and was designed by Portland-based ELK Collective.
And rather than being speakeasy-dark, Aurora has a bright, art-deco interior, technicolor window treatments and west-facing windows offering views of the runway and Portland sunsets.
The menu includes local beers and wine and shareable small plates as a well as a creative and very reaonably priced cocktail menu with creative pours such as the Aurora Sour (RIttenhouse Rye, Midori, lemon, egg white, red wine float), Diamond Tooth (Haku vodka, yuzu, coconut, lemon) and Hot Soup (Wild Turkey, bone broth, sesame, green onion tincture).
Want to get into the PDX speakeasy?
The entrance to the Aurora speakeasy at PDX airport is in the Loyal Legion beer hall space, on the pre-security mezzanine level, between the main bar and the restrooms. Look for the words “Curiosity Opens the Door” next to the unmarked entrance.
Hours are 4-8pm Monday through Friday, though airport officials say those hours may expand as the summer travel season picks up.
The password to get in?
No password is required. According to our insider at PDX airport, “Guests only have to approach the bar team and ask a question to receive the access code,” because… ‘Curiosity Opens the Door.’
Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) opens its doors today on a swanky new main lobby in the terminal that everyone will love.
The Stuck at the Airport team visited a few days before the space opened. Here are some (more) images from our tour.
The old carpet is back. In some places.
There are plenty of places in the airport that are carpeted. But PDX has brought back the social media-famous old carpet patten in a handful of spots in the terminal.
Stadium seating and giant video screens
Two sets of stadium seating with wood benches face each other in the middle of the main terminal lobby. Behind them – over the security checkpoints – are giant video screens with art and imagery of Oregon landscapes.
Art abounds in the new main terminal at PDX
Live trees, a 9-acre wooden roof and live plants
The new main terminal at PDX feels like a park with dozens of trees, a 9-acre timber roof, thousands of plants and lots of places to sit down and enjoy it all.
Construction has been going on for more than three years.
But the temporary walls come down on August 14.
And that’s when travelers at Portland International Airport (PDX) will see the new airy, tree-lined pre-security lobby, the massive, vaulted wood ceiling, new and returning shops, lots of art, the latest technology at the security checkpoint, and many other new amenities.
And they’ll know the wait was worth it.
StuckatTheAirport.com got a preview of the lobby at Portland International Airport.
Here are some snaps from our tour.
The center of the new lobby has two sections of stadium seating that will be great for hanging out with friends and family before going through security. This is also where performances will take place. We spotted a grand piano off to the side.
At the top of each section are small lounge areas with – hooray – sections of carpeting that bring back the well-loved and Internet-famous old carpet design. So get ready for a new stream of foot selfies with the #PDXCarpet tag.
Stay tuned for more about the new lobby area at Portland International Airport.
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), home to exhibits and experiences celebrating rock and roll music, science fiction and other expressions of popular culture, wants to The National Museum of Pop Culture.
And this week a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to get the process in motion. The bill will have to pass through congressional committees before it can be voted on by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and then the President would have to sign the bill into law. But we’re confident that will happen.
While that process is going on, we encourage you to visit the museum when you’re in town to see exhibits that include Massive: The Power of Pop Culture, Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika, Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel, Fantasy World of Myth and Magic – and much more.
Help test out the new main terminal at PDX Airport
Portland International Airport (PDX) will open its new main terminal sometime in August. But first, they need to test it out.
As part of that process, the airport is seeking volunteers for a PDX Dress Rehearsal on Saturday, August 3. Volunteers will serve as pretend travelers and test out the check-in and security systems and share feedback.
As a bonus, the airport is giving volunteers a $50 gift card.
