LaGuardia Terminal B is the 2021 recipient of the prestigious UNESCO’s 2021 Prix Versailles, the global architecture and design award, for best new airport in the world. A panel of international judges selected the new terminal for its successful integration of both culture and commercial functionality into its architecture.

“From cutting-edge architectural design to world-class amenities to inspirational public art alongside state-of-the-art technology, LaGuardia’s Terminal B is leading the transformation of our airports to best in class,” said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton.

“We’re honored to receive the UNESCO Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award,” said Frank Scremin, CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners and Vantage Airport Group executive. “Our vision was to completely elevate and transform the Terminal B experience, incorporating world class public art, sought-after amenities, iconic architecture and state-of the-art technology. We’re proud to be recognized as the best airport by the UNESCO panel of judges and thankful to our partners Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Vantage Airport Group, Skanska, Meridiam, JLC Infrastructure, Skanska-Walsh Joint Venture, HOK and WSP.”

As the recipient of the Prix Versailles, LaGuardia Airport is in lofty company that includes last year’s award winner, Beijing Daxing International Airport. In announcing this year’s award, UNESCO cited the “qualities of innovation, creativity, reflection of local, natural and cultural heritage, and ecological efficiency, as well as the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard.”

LaGuardia Airport Terminal B’s selection for the 2021 Prix Versailles for best new airport comes as the new terminal continues to make substantial progress and see increased passenger volume, including a new passenger record since the beginning of the pandemic. LGP opened its four-story, light-filled Arrivals and Departures Hall in 2020. Its latest section of new gates opened in early December, bringing the total number of new gates open so far to 30, spread across two concourses connected to the arrivals and departures hall by the world’s first dual-pedestrian skybridges.

The new Terminal B has proven itself in terms of sustainability, with its designation in 2021 as the first airline terminal in the world to achieve LEED v4 Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The airport’s transformation also reflects the Port Authority and LGP’s commitment to diversity, having achieved an historic $2 billion in contracts awarded to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.

The annual Prix Versailles awards, created in 2015 to promote the relationship between culture and commerce, recognizes the most remarkable structures, in terms of both interior and exterior architecture, in the categories of Airports, Campuses, Passenger Stations and Sports. Because the Prix is associated with the Palace of Versailles, it aspires for this world-renowned symbol of beauty and elegance to serve not as a model but as a beacon and impetus for quality commercial architecture, today and tomorrow.