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SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Named World’s Most Beautiful Airport by Prix Versailles

The UNESCO-backed award recognizes the terminal’s synthesis of sustainable design with a calmer, art-driven passenger experience.

Overview

  • The Prix Versailles jury selected the terminal for the top global honor, marking a second consecutive win for San Francisco International Airport’s T1.
  • Harvey Milk Terminal 1 completed a multi‑year, multi‑billion‑dollar redevelopment in June 2024 led by Gensler.
  • The airport reports a 79% cut in carbon footprint and a 59% decrease in energy use following the renovation.
  • Design features include natural light throughout, gender‑neutral restrooms, quiet‑terminal practices replacing most overhead announcements, a yoga room, and self‑service baggage options.
  • The terminal is the first in the world named for an LGBTQ+ leader and houses a permanent Harvey Milk exhibition, while other honorees on the Prix Versailles list include Portland, Marseille, Réunion’s Roland Garros, Yantai, and Kansai.