Sky Harbour Breaks Ground on Chicago Aviation Campus

Construction has officially started on a new 16-acre private aviation campus at Chicago Executive Airport, bringing a major new infrastructure investment to the Wheeling and Prospect Heights area.

Sky Harbour Group Corporation and airport officials marked the groundbreaking on September 17 for the new Home Base Operator campus, which the company described as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in the airport's history.

The first phase is expected to include four private aircraft hangars ranging from 18,000 to 37,000 square feet, along with adjoining suites, offices and parking.

The Patch reports that the new aviation campus is expected to open in early 2028.

Four Private Aircraft Hangars Planned

The first phase of the Sky Harbour development will center around four private hangars designed for aircraft permanently based at Chicago Executive Airport.

The hangars will range in size from 18,000 to 37,000 square feet.

The first phase will include:

• Four private aircraft hangars
• Hangars ranging from 18,000 to 37,000 square feet
• Adjoining private suites
• Office space
• Parking
• Dedicated aircraft fueling
• Dedicated line service

The combination of hangar, office and aviation-support uses will require a range of commercial and specialized airport construction.

16-Acre Aviation Campus Under Construction

The development will occupy 16 acres at Chicago Executive Airport.

The airport is jointly owned by the Village of Wheeling and the City of Prospect Heights and is located approximately 10 miles north of O'Hare International Airport.

Chicago Executive Airport handles approximately 100,000 corporate, charter and recreational aircraft operations annually and serves as a reliever airport for O'Hare.

The airport has operated for more than a century.

The new development is intended to expand hangar capacity while introducing Sky Harbour's private aviation campus model to the Chicago market.

Hangars Designed for Permanently Based Aircraft

Sky Harbour describes its developments as Home Base Operator campuses.

Unlike a traditional fixed-base operator that serves both locally based and transient aircraft, Sky Harbour's facilities are designed specifically for aircraft permanently based at the campus.

The concept combines private aircraft hangars with adjoining office suites and dedicated aviation services.

The Chicago campus will provide its tenants with dedicated line service and fueling along with increased privacy and security. These requirements add specialized infrastructure and building systems to the construction program beyond those associated with conventional warehouse or industrial buildings.

Specialized Aviation Construction

Aircraft hangars present several construction requirements that differ from traditional commercial or industrial buildings. The large clear-span areas required to accommodate aircraft can involve substantial structural systems along with specialized oversized hangar doors. Aircraft movement areas outside the buildings must also connect efficiently with the airport's existing aviation infrastructure.

The addition of dedicated fueling and line-service operations introduces another specialized component to the project. Office suites and other adjoining spaces will require conventional commercial construction and interior finishing within the larger aviation campus.

Campus Expected to Open in Early 2028

With the September 17 groundbreaking complete, construction is now underway toward an anticipated early 2028 opening.

The first phase will establish the core hangar and support facilities for Sky Harbour's Chicago Executive Airport operation.

The company currently operates eight campuses across the United States and has 14 additional locations in development. Sky Harbour CEO Tal Keinan described Chicago as one of the country's most important business aviation markets and Chicago Executive Airport as an important location for the company's growing network.

Construction Trades Involved

With work underway on a 16-acre aviation development, the project could involve a broad range of contractors, subcontractors and construction suppliers.

Potential trades include:

• Site preparation contractors
• Excavation and earthwork contractors
• Grading contractors
• Foundation contractors
• Concrete contractors
• Structural steel contractors
• Steel erection contractors
• Reinforcing steel contractors
• Pre-engineered building contractors
• Masonry contractors
• Building envelope contractors
• Metal panel contractors
• Roofing contractors
• Waterproofing contractors
• Hangar door contractors
• Mechanical contractors
• HVAC contractors
• Plumbing contractors
• Electrical contractors
• Fire protection contractors
• Fire alarm contractors
• Fueling system contractors
• Aviation infrastructure contractors
• Interior framing and drywall contractors
• Insulation contractors
• Carpentry contractors
• Millwork contractors
• Flooring contractors
• Painting contractors
• Door and hardware contractors
• Lighting contractors and suppliers
• Security system contractors
• Access-control contractors
• Paving contractors
• Drainage and stormwater contractors
• Parking lot contractors
• Site lighting contractors
• Signage contractors

The private hangars, dedicated fueling infrastructure and aircraft-support operations create specialized construction opportunities in addition to the conventional commercial work associated with the offices and adjoining suites.

Project Expected to Generate Regional Economic Benefits

Sky Harbour said the development is expected to create or sustain hundreds of local jobs and generate as much as $550 million in economic benefits for surrounding communities and the greater Chicago region.

Airport officials view the development as an opportunity to increase needed hangar capacity and strengthen Chicago Executive Airport's role in the regional economy. Executive Director Jeff Miller said the project represents a significant investment in the airport's future while introducing a new approach to accommodating private and corporate aircraft.

State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl also pointed to the project as an opportunity to expand the airport's economic role in the region.

Major Private Aviation Investment Moves Into Construction

The groundbreaking moves Sky Harbour's Chicago Executive Airport campus from development into active construction. The 16-acre project will initially include four private hangars ranging from 18,000 to 37,000 square feet, together with offices, adjoining suites, parking and dedicated aircraft fueling and line service.

For contractors and suppliers, the project combines conventional commercial and industrial construction with specialized aviation systems, hangar infrastructure and extensive site development.

Construction will continue toward the planned early 2028 opening, adding a major new private aviation campus to Chicago Executive Airport.