A New Gateway to Los Angeles: Inside the World’s Largest ConRAC at LAX

The opening of the Consolidated Rental Car Facility (ConRAC) at Los Angeles International Airport is not just another milestone in airport development. It is the debut of the largest ConRAC facility in the world and a bold new front door to Los Angeles for millions of travelers each year.

Delivered as part of Los Angeles World Airports’ Landside Access Modernization Program, the approximately 6 million square foot facility transforms the way passengers arrive, depart, and connect to the city. PGAL provided comprehensive architectural services and planning for this landmark project, designing a centralized hub that consolidates more than a dozen rental car brands into a unified, high-performance complex.

The scale is extraordinary. The facility accommodates nearly 20,000 vehicles and stands as one of the largest concrete structures in the United States. At 186 fuel pumps, it also makes the LAX facility’s Quick Turnaround Area the world’s largest gas station. What was once a patchwork of off-site rental locations connected by a constant stream of shuttle buses has been replaced with a single, efficient destination directly linked to the terminals by the Automated People Mover (APM). The result is a dramatically improved customer experience and the elimination of thousands of daily shuttle trips that once crowded the Central Terminal Area.

Inside the facility, the design supports both clarity and capacity. Dedicated customer rental and return areas streamline circulation, while a Quick Turnaround Area building handles fueling, washing, and light maintenance at an impressive volume with fully secure operational areas. Every element was planned to manage the pace and pressure of one of the busiest airports in the world while maintaining operational efficiency.

Sustainability is equally ambitious. The ConRAC has achieved LEED Gold certification and incorporates energy efficient systems, water conservation strategies, power generation through solar panels throughout the facility, and long-term performance measures that align with LAX’s environmental goals. By consolidating operations and reducing roadway congestion, the project delivers measurable environmental benefits alongside its operational gains.

The opening of the LAX ConRAC signals a defining moment in the airport’s modernization. It is a project of remarkable scale, complexity, and impact, and it sets a new global benchmark for consolidated rental car facilities. Through visionary planning and thoughtful architectural design, PGAL helped bring to life an infrastructure achievement worthy of the city it serves.