DESIGNWORKS 2025

Market Place Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte, NC

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.

Located in Terminal A of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Market Place reinvents the airport retail experience by blending refined convenience with regional character. This 1,960-square-foot family and minority-owned boutique offers a curated selection of locally inspired gifts, travel essentials, and premium food and beverages in an environment that feels both intimate and elevated.

With its open, intuitive layout and warm material palette, the design welcomes travelers into a serene and stylish space. A Vespa perched near the entrance evokes wanderlust and the spirit of exploration, while handcrafted signage and finishes featuring native muscadine vines root the store in North Carolina’s identity. Biophilic elements, layered lighting, and custom millwork create a rich sensory experience that is calm yet contemporary.

Clear graphics and self-checkout nooks support both leisurely browsing and efficient transactions, addressing the diverse rhythms of airport travelers. Premium finishes such as brick veneer and wood-look laminates add depth, while creative solutions like integrated base-building concealment demonstrate design agility.

Despite constraints like a height-restricted ceiling, base building limitations, and a compressed construction timeline, the project was delivered on schedule and with unwavering design integrity thanks to proactive collaboration across disciplines.

Affectionately referred to as “The Jewel in the crown of CLT,” Market Place elevates expectations for what airport retail can be; beautiful, local, functional, and memorable.