NEW YORK, NY — The World Jury of the Prix Versailles has honored LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B in New York City with the prestigious World Title in the Airports category.

In honoring the world’s best contemporary architecture, the World Selections “pay tribute to 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,” said the French-based organization in a statement.

The 2021 Prix Versailles jury that selected LaGuardia’s Terminal B as the world’s best new airport included Bjarke Ingels, Architect (Denmark); Guo Pei, Fashion Designer (China); Steve McCurry, Photographer (U.S.); Jean-Jacques Annaud, Film Director and Chairman of the World Jury; Mariam Kamara, Architect (Niger); Patricia Urquiola, Architect (Spain); Ryue Nishizawa, Architect (Japan); and Massimo Bottura, Chef (Italy).

The new Terminal B symbolizes the top-to-bottom transformation of one of the highest-profile U.S. airports.

The transparent, fluid design of the Arrivals and Departures Hall celebrates movement while conveying a strong civic presence in a city known for its architecture. In the spirit of grand transportation centers like New York’s celebrated Grand Central Terminal, the new Terminal B ushers in a new era of mobility and travel.

As the world’s first airport to earn LEED v4 Gold certification, LaGuardia’s new Terminal B has helped pioneer sustainability measures for civil infrastructure projects. The airport’s transformation also reflects the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s commitment to diversity, having achieved a historic $2 billion in contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned business enterprises.

The ongoing $5.1-billion ($4-billion construction value) Terminal B project is the largest public-private partnership in U.S. aviation history.

“We’re honored to receive the UNESCO Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award,” said Frank Scremin, CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, Terminal B’s developer and manager. “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.”