The Hispanic food company Insignia International will proceed on its build of a major project on the south side of the Centennial Airport, subject to final approval from the Arapahoe County Airport Commission Board and other approvals. The 30,000-square-foot facility, which will also serve as its new headquarters, will be next to and in conjunction with Wings Over the Rockies – Exploration of Flight, and will include an astonishing après ski-themed food hall, tequila bar, outdoor entertainment and live music space, and an educational space, as well as a TV production studio.
“We’re so excited to be working with Centennial Airport and Wings Over the Rockies to build a facility that will truly be groundbreaking,” said the CEO of Insignia, Adam Butler. “We welcome the community to experience the incredible Southwestern and Hispanic flavors that Insignia stands for like Hatch Valley green chile while enjoying an immersive experience in aviation.”
TJC Limited and JVA Consulting will provide engineering services to Insignia International for the project, and Lodestone Design Group and Wildrye Design will provide the design services. Based on Butler’s statements, Insignia hopes to advance further later this year.
The upcoming food hall is expected to feature food offerings ranging across multiple genres that showcase the versatility of Hispanic flavors and the Southwest. The facility will also feature a panoramic view of the airport and the runway, as well as the Rocky Mountains.
“Wings Over the Rockies is a treasure for this community and is one of the best aviation museums in the country,” General John Barry, the CEO of Wings, stated. “Our ‘Exploration of Flight’ campus at Centennial Airport features aviation-focused showcases for patrons of all ages so they can get up close and personal with unique aircraft and meet the pilots who fly them, in addition to having education-focused programming and exhibits for patrons of all ages, including flight simulators and static aircraft on display.”
The partnership with 505 Southwestern, he adds, will bring great food, entertainment, and energy to their site, which is a step toward their vision of building a family-friendly campus in the Centennial Airport.
The main plan for Wings Over the Rockies – Exploration of Flight includes a Blue Sky Gallery, which is presently open to the public, and Black Sky, which is a planned Disney-esque experience that will explore the wonders of space. The campus is also home to the Colorado SKIES Academy, which is a charter middle school with a focus on education in science, aviation, and space.
“We’re excited about this project and what it means for our airport community,” Mike Fronapfel, the executive director of the Centennial Airport, said. “We are dedicated to making sure that this airport is an asset to the community in many forms, and we hope that this project is enjoyed by aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike.”
Rob Holland, the chairman of the company, said that they “love engaging with the community and sharing our passion,” adding that “the facility is the epitome of this, and we can’t wait for a warm summer day in Colorado where families are gathering to listen to some live music, eat some great food, and explore the wonders of aviation all in one day and all at one convenient place.”
