EF Airport Launches new Terminal and future Business Centre
More than 150 guests gathered to celebrate the launch of the new-look Essendon Fields Airport Terminal on Tuesday 22 October 2019. Invitees included Essendon Fields’ owners Max Beck and Andrew Fox, The Hon. Ben Carroll State Member for Niddrie, tenants and staff. The multi-million dollar renovation was the first major renovation the terminal has undergone since opening in 1959 and included updating the departure lounge, the addition of new ground floor offices, new heating and cooling and a mechanical baggage handling system.
Essendon Airport was Melbourne’s international airport from 1921 to 1971. Originally known as Building 72, the international terminal was designed by Percy Everett of the Commonwealth Public Works Department. The International Terminal (Building 72) exhibits characteristic architecture of the inter-war functionalist style.
After the success of the first stage, CEO Brendan Pihan announced that the redevelopment of the iconic Terminal building will be extended to include the Southern End of the terminal. This is set to become a thriving business hub, the Bell Business Centre, named after Greg Bell, one of the airport’s most loved business operators who tragically lost the battle to cancer this year.
Greg ran Gee’s Bee’s aerospace shop in the terminal building for 25 years, but his history with Essendon Fields began much earlier. As a boy, Greg’s mother took him to Essendon to watch the planes and he also delivered a childhood paper around the airport. As a young adult, Greg successfully took flying lessons and began to hone his skills as an aviation photographer from the aerodrome.
The new Bell Business Centre will include 1,100 square meters of premium office space at a cost of over $4 million, reshaping the southern end of the historic Essendon Fields Airport Terminal building into a state-of-the-art work hub with incredible views over the tarmac.
Guests at the terminal launch were among the first to hear about plans and view the video showcasing the project.
To find out more about the Bell Business Centre and for leasing opportunities, click here.