Arora Celebrates the New USO Lounge at PHL

Arora Engineers (Arora) is proud to celebrate the opening of the newly relocated USO Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) a modern, thoughtfully designed space dedicated to serving the men and women of our armed forces and their families.

Led by MarketPlace PHL, the project relocated the USO Lounge to the Terminal D–E Connector, creating a modern 2,830-square-foot facility designed for comfort, accessibility, and connection. The upgraded lounge provides military travelers and their loved ones with a peaceful place to rest, recharge, and find community before or after their journeys.

“My dedication to the men and women of the military is deeply rooted in my upbringing as an Army child, by growing up on military bases in the Middle East and Europe. The impactful work of the USO worldwide, particularly at Philadelphia International Airport, is truly commendable. This facility not only provides a place of rest and comfort but also serves as a refuge for families of the fallen. I am proud, both professionally and personally, to have the entire Arora Engineers team contribute to this meaningful project.”
— Manik Arora, CEO, Arora Engineers

As the prime design-builder, our team provided end-to-end services including programming, design, permitting, construction administration, and self-performed fire protection installation through Arora Systems Group. The project brought together architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire life safety, and special systems engineering, all coordinated seamlessly within an active airport environment. (Learn more about the full project scope here)

Arora collaborated closely with the Division of Aviation (DOA), TSA, and other airport stakeholders to ensure a smooth construction process with minimal disruption to operations. The result is a state-of-the-art facility that reflects the USO’s enduring mission: to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country.

Arora’s involvement with the USO extends beyond design and construction. Each year, our team proudly hosts a USO Golf Outing, helping raise funds to sustain vital programs and services for our nation’s military personnel.

About the USO:

USO’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as their families. The USO provides a bridge between the civilian population and our service members. In times of war and peace, Liberty USO has delivered its special brand of support, comfort, morale boosting, and recreational activities to service members and their families. Liberty USO supports hospitality and morale boosting programs at nine military bases and over twenty National Guard Armories and Reserve Readiness Centers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information on how to support the USO, please visit: https://www.uso.org/locations