After more than three years of work, one of the USA The Pacific Northwest’s busiest airport will reopen its main terminal.

And it will not be like a typical, industrially sterile Airport.

Portland International Airport (PDX) has spent a lot of money to bring Oregon’s famous nature indoors.

READ MORE: These are the most Instagrammable sunset spots around the world

The modernized terminal will feature dozens of trees, thousands of other plants, streams of natural light and a wooden ceiling to create an arboreal atmosphere.

PDX will continue to feature occasional appearances by “therapy” llamas and alpacas.

The $3.25 billion (US$2.15 billion) renovation has several goals, said Allison Ferre, media manager for the Port of Portland, which operates the PDX.

An important point is better design to guide people through the facility more efficiently.

“The previous terminal – several buildings patched together – was not designed for our post-9/11 travel habits with the TSA. Now the experience will be much better,” Ferre said in an email interview with CNN Travel.

But they have also placed great emphasis on making the journey through the airport less stressful by requiring stops at security checks, etc.

READ MORE: How to visit the filming locations of “Emily in Paris”

“The new terminal also uses biophilic design – bringing nature into play – to deliver benefits such as reducing travelers’ stress, blood pressure and heart rate, and giving them the feeling of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest,” the Port of Portland said in a press release.

Ferre also noted that restaurants and shops will be located in areas before security checkpoints.

The airport hopes to become a tourist destination in its own right, even when no people are flying out – following a trend set by airports such as Changi in Singapore.

What PDX passengers will see

One of the first things passengers will notice, according to the Port of Portland, are 72 large trees, including black walnut, ficus and olive trees, scattered throughout the terminal. In total, there will be about 5,000 live plants.

And they get their photosynthetic sunlight from 49 strategically placed skylights that shine through an impressive ceiling made of Douglas fir, harvested using sustainable methods from forests in the Oregon and Washington region.

“Local” was the mantra of this project.

“Thousands of people from our region came together to accomplish something no one had ever done before: build an on-site airport,” said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland, in an email to CNN Travel. “Everything is designed to provide travelers with a unique PDX experience.”

READ MORE: The best cities in the world for a workcation holiday revealed

In addition to the new stuff, a few old PDX favorites are also returning due to popular demand, the port’s press release said.

Powell’s, a literary institution in Portland since the 1970s, had a PDX location for 30 years but closed it during the pandemic. But with the reopening, the bookstore is returning, the press release said.

The 80s-style PDX carpet is also back. With its geometric shapes on a blue-green background, the carpet developed a kind of cult status, but was removed a few years ago. This left fans naïve. However, a new covering with the same pattern will be laid in selected areas, Port of Portland announced.

Llamas and alpacas and food and culture

Two of South America’s most famous pack mammals are bred in large numbers in Oregon – and they make special appearances at PDX as a kind of “therapy” for exhausted flyers.

“The llamas and alpacas visit PDX to soothe and delight travelers as part of the airport’s broader animal therapy program,” Ferre said. “They typically come a few times a month.”

The calming animals are from Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, and Ferre said passengers can check out the current schedule on PDX’s Instagram page.

Restaurants and shops – some new, some existing – are being designed to mimic strolls through Portland’s neighborhoods.

READ MORE: The best hidden beaches in the world – including an Australian spot that made the list

The culinary focus would be on local ingredients and local chefs, the press release said.

Among the offerings is Grassa, a handmade pasta restaurant opening its sixth location in the area at PDX.

The emphasis on local resources and culture also extends to the indigenous people of the region. Some of the wood came directly from tribal areas.

Brenda Meade, chairwoman of the Coquille Indian Tribe, told CNN Travel in an email, “I’m really proud that visitors to Portland can see a bit of Oregon culture in the airport. Welcoming our guests is so important to our Coquille potlatch culture.”

READ MORE: What makes the perfect weekend getaway?

More space, more to come

The project was more than just an aesthetic exercise. It was also about creating more space for a busy terminal.

“We are renovating and modernizing about half a million square feet and adding about half a million square feet. In total, this work will almost double the passenger capacity (to 35 million annually),” Ferre said.

READ MORE: Australia’s most beautiful cities revealed in new ranking

PDX handled 16.5 million passengers in 2023, and more than 1.6 million travelers in June 2024, a 9 percent increase from 2023, the Port of Portland said. During peak summer season, the airport handles about 450 flights per day.

The work at the airport will not end with the opening of the main terminal on Wednesday. All this was only phase 1.

A second phase will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. It will include two “cozy” areas to wait for travelers, private restrooms with tile mosaics designed by local artists, and more escalators to baggage claim.

“PDX is the first and last impression for many of our visitors, and the renovation of the main terminal will certainly make that impression positively,” said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of Travel Portland. “PDX is a shining star among our city’s tourism assets, and we often cite it as one of the city’s best neighborhoods.”