Party goers enjoy the preview party for the American Express Centurion Lounge opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Houston. The lounge could soon get a $35-million renovation and expansion.
Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag
Premium travelers flying through Houston could soon get an even glitzier airport escape.
The American Express Centurion Lounge at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is set for a $35-million renovation, according to a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
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While details submitted to the TDLR are subject to change, construction could begin as early as August and continue through July 2028. The renovation will span roughly 23,000 square feet, though specific details about the upgraded lounge and its new amenities have not yet been revealed.
American Express Consumer Travel and Lounge Department and IAH did not immediately respond to Chron’s request for comment.
IAH’s current Centurion Lounge layout
The Centurion Lounge at IAH is located in Terminal D. American Express advises members to take the elevator up from the duty-free shop near gate D-12.
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The lounge is open daily between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., serving breakfast between 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch and dinner until 9 p.m. A full bar is available after 10:30 a.m. daily with a select offering available prior.
American Express describes the 8,500 square-foot space as “funky meets elegant,” offering visitors a “luxurious escape into excellence.”
Amenities include WiFi, showers, TVs, printers and copiers, premium food, noise-buffering workspaces, a variety of seating options and a dedicated meditation room in partnership with the Calm app.
Party goers enjoy the preview party for the American Express Centurion Lounge opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Houston. The lounge could soon get a $35-million renovation and expansion.
Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag
When did the Centurion Lounge open at IAH?
The Centurion Lounge at IAH first opened in June 2016, according to Forbes. When the lounge first opened, it was the seventh location of the Centurion network.
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James Beard Award winner Justin Yu of Houston was tapped as the chef for the lounge in 2016, developing the menu for complimentary meal service. New York mixologist Jim Meehan developed a list of custom beverages.
RELATED: DFW Airport’s luxury travel experience is getting a $35M upgrade
Party goers enjoy the preview party for the American Express Centurion Lounge opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Houston. The lounge could soon get a $35-million renovation and expansion.
Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag
IAH upgrade follows similar expansion at DFW Airport
In April, plans for a $35-million upgrade and expansion of The Centurion Lounge at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were submitted to the TDLR. The DFW Centurion Lounge was one of the first to open, dating back to 2013.
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American Express announced the 18,000-square-foot renovation and expansion, noting that the lounge’s footprint would increase by roughly 50 percent.
The redesign will blend modern sophistication with a Western influence, according to American Express, featuring rich textures and warm desert tones.
Situated in Terminal D near Gate D12, the revamped lounge is expected to open in late 2027.
Centurion Lounge network
American Express currently operates a network of 32 Centurion Lounge locations worldwide, with several other smaller ‘sidecar’ spaces. A few other sites outside of Texas are also set for a major makeover.
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At Boston Logan International Airport, a two-story lounge set to open in 2029 will be among the largest in the network, featuring an outdoor terrace.
At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, American Express is also opening its next ‘Sidecar by The Centurion’—an intimate format designed for travelers with limited time who still want a premium experience.