Soltek Celebrates Topping-Off Ceremony for Historic United Airlines Hangar Reassembly Project

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Soltek celebrated a significant milestone in the reassembly of the United Airlines Hangar and Terminal (UAHT) at the San Diego International Airport with a topping-off ceremony. This event marked the completion of the steel framework, a key phase in the effort to preserve such an iconic piece of San Diego's aviation heritage.

Originally constructed in 1931 and located near the Pacific Highway on the northeast side of the airport, the UAHT building is the oldest surviving structure from Lindbergh Field's early development. Over the years, it has been relocated three times. Initially designed to accommodate three planes and a few offices, this historic structure has undergone meticulous relocation and will now be reassembled just 300 feet from its original 1931 location, following its disassembly in a previous Soltek project.

With the steel framework now in place, our team will proceed to the next stages, including wood framing and the installation of the 52 original windows and hangar doors. We are committed to maintaining the building's historical authenticity while integrating modern updates to ensure its long-term functionality. Notably, the hangar door wheels have been carefully remade to replicate the original 1931 design, with three missing assemblies engineered and cast to match the original components.

We extend our appreciation to everyone involved for their exceptional commitment and attention to detail throughout this project. As Brian Lahr, Director of Construction for the Airport Authority, noted, “Turner did the right thing hiring Soltek for this project.” We are proud to contribute to preserving this iconic piece of aviation history.

David Shields, Soltek's Project Manager for the UAHT reassembly project, summed up the sentiment best:

“It’s exciting to be a part of San Diego history, even if it’s just a small part.”

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