Hispanic food company Insignia International will proceed on a major building project on the south side of Centennial Airport, subject to final approval from the Arapahoe County Airport Commission Board and other approvals. The approximately 30,000-square-foot facility, which will serve as its new headquarters, will be built adjacent to and in conjunction with Wings Over the Rockies – Exploration of Flight, and include an innovative après ski-themed food hall, tequila bar, outdoor entertainment and live music space, 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,” commented Adam Butler, CEO of Insignia. “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 have provided engineering services to Insignia International in conjunction with the project and Lodestone Design Group and Wildrye Design have provided design services. According to Butler, Insignia hopes to break ground later this year.
The food hall is expected to feature premium food offerings ranging across multiple food genres that will showcase the full versatility that Hispanic flavors and flavors of the Southwest bring to any dish. In addition, it will feature a choice tequila bar, family entertainment options, expansive outdoor entertainment and live music space, games, food, and other attractions for family enjoyment. The facility will feature panoramic views of the airport, runway, and the Rocky Mountains.
“Wings Over the Rockies is a treasure for this community and is one of the best aviation museums in the country. 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,” commented General John Barry, CEO of Wings. “This partnership with 505 Southwestern, which brings great food, entertainment, and additional activity and energy to our site is a great step forward in our vision to build a family-friendly campus at Centennial Airport.
The master plan for Wings Over The Rockies – Exploration of Flight includes the Blue Sky Gallery, which is currently open to the public, and Black Sky, a planned Disney-like experience to explore the wonders of space. The campus is also home to Colorado SKIES Academy, a charter middle school with a focus on education through the lens of science, aviation, and space.
“We’re excited about this project and what it means for our airport community,” said Mike Fronapfel, executive director of the Centennial Airport. “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.”
This announcement comes at an exciting time for Insignia International — which just announced a new name and logo — and the appointment of several high-level leadership positions as it continues to grow into new areas of the Hispanic food market.
“Not only have we more than doubled the size of our business over the past few years, but we have also leaned heavily into the Hispanic and Southwestern categories,” added Rob Holland, chairman of the company. “We acquired 505 Southwestern in 2008 and have grown that brand from a regional gem to the largest jarred green chile brand in the USA. Our passion for modernizing the flavors of Southwestern and Hispanic foods has been core to our mission for years, if not decades. With this change, our corporate identity and new logo now reflect this.”
“We love engaging with the community and sharing our passion for great food,” added Holland. “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.”
