<strong>Airport auction:</strong> The contents of the now-defunct Terminal 1 of London's Heathrow Airport are being auctioned off in a move experts say is unprecedented.
Airport auction: The contents of the now-defunct Terminal 1 of London's Heathrow Airport are being auctioned off in a move experts say is unprecedented.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Memorabilia: </strong>This starter auction will focus on memorabilia. Later auctions will focus on the big assets: travelators, baggage and carousels.
Memorabilia: This starter auction will focus on memorabilia. Later auctions will focus on the big assets: travelators, baggage and carousels.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Ongoing renovation:</strong> Heathrow won't comment on the auction -- aside from specifying it's part of an ongoing airport improvement process. It says it no longer owns the contents of Terminal 1.
Ongoing renovation: Heathrow won't comment on the auction -- aside from specifying it's part of an ongoing airport improvement process. It says it no longer owns the contents of Terminal 1.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Unusual sales</strong>: "I've been involved in this business some 20 years really [...] and I'd say it is certainly one of the most unusual sales I've ever come across," Ivan Macquisten, an art and auctions expert, tells CNN Travel.
Unusual sales: "I've been involved in this business some 20 years really [...] and I'd say it is certainly one of the most unusual sales I've ever come across," Ivan Macquisten, an art and auctions expert, tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Home decor:</strong> "Seasoned travelers, who have probably been through Heathrow loads of time just want to pick bits and pieces up for their homes," Macquisten suggests.
Home decor: "Seasoned travelers, who have probably been through Heathrow loads of time just want to pick bits and pieces up for their homes," Macquisten suggests.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Big sales:</strong> The auction is being conducted by CA Global Partners (CAGP): "They tend to handle some big industrial and commercial sales," says Macquisten. CAGP handled the sale of the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Big sales: The auction is being conducted by CA Global Partners (CAGP): "They tend to handle some big industrial and commercial sales," says Macquisten. CAGP handled the sale of the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Potential buyers:</strong> Macquisten thinks owners of bars, restaurants and clubs will be some of the main buyers -- but interior designers and aviation fans will also be reaching for their wallets.
Potential buyers: Macquisten thinks owners of bars, restaurants and clubs will be some of the main buyers -- but interior designers and aviation fans will also be reaching for their wallets.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Airport transfer:</strong> All the assets remain at Heathrow for the time being: "[CAGP] offer what they call a turnkey service which means if you bought a baggage carousel, they'll have guys who will take it to pieces, store it and transfer it to wherever you want to put it," explains Macquisten.
Airport transfer: All the assets remain at Heathrow for the time being: "[CAGP] offer what they call a turnkey service which means if you bought a baggage carousel, they'll have guys who will take it to pieces, store it and transfer it to wherever you want to put it," explains Macquisten.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Signs of the times:</strong> Passport control desks and baggage carousels are among items being sold off. Heathrow's signage is said to be attracting a lot of interest.
Signs of the times: Passport control desks and baggage carousels are among items being sold off. Heathrow's signage is said to be attracting a lot of interest.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Vetting and checking</strong>: Everything's on offer -- but if you want to buy security equipment, be prepared for lots of checks first. "Any sort of software or screening programs Heathrow would have used would have been removed. So they'll be none of that," says Macquisten. "And that stuff would have to be sold only by private treaty and anyone who wants to buy that has to be vetted thoroughly."
Vetting and checking: Everything's on offer -- but if you want to buy security equipment, be prepared for lots of checks first. "Any sort of software or screening programs Heathrow would have used would have been removed. So they'll be none of that," says Macquisten. "And that stuff would have to be sold only by private treaty and anyone who wants to buy that has to be vetted thoroughly."
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Abandoned terminal: </strong>Terminal 1 was a major transport hub during the advent of the Jet Age. It became a iconic symbol of global travel but been disused since 2015.<em> Pictured here: Terminal 1, drop off area in 1969.</em>
Abandoned terminal: Terminal 1 was a major transport hub during the advent of the Jet Age. It became a iconic symbol of global travel but been disused since 2015. Pictured here: Terminal 1, drop off area in 1969.
Courtesy Heathrow
<strong>What goes around:</strong> It's not known what will happen to the old Terminal after the sale. <em> Pictured here: Terminal 1 baggage carousel in 1969</em>
What goes around: It's not known what will happen to the old Terminal after the sale. Pictured here: Terminal 1 baggage carousel in 1969
Courtesy Heathrow
<strong>Artwork on offer:</strong> There's also artwork on offer in the form of a series of enamel murals by Polish artist Stefan Knapp, which were especially commissioned for the terminal.
Artwork on offer: There's also artwork on offer in the form of a series of enamel murals by Polish artist Stefan Knapp, which were especially commissioned for the terminal.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Iconic appeal: </strong>Bids are already coming in with some items proving more popular: "I think it's all to do with the sort of retro iconic appeal," Macquisten says.
Iconic appeal: Bids are already coming in with some items proving more popular: "I think it's all to do with the sort of retro iconic appeal," Macquisten says.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Unpredictable:</strong> A sign for the bathrooms is also doing well, notes Macquiston -- but who knows how much they'll go for? "There are no estimates on anything, because it's so unprecedented, it's very difficult to value," he adds.
Unpredictable: A sign for the bathrooms is also doing well, notes Macquiston -- but who knows how much they'll go for? "There are no estimates on anything, because it's so unprecedented, it's very difficult to value," he adds.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>The extraordinary ordinary</strong>: There are four clocks on offer that are getting a lot of attention: "[They] seem to me relatively ordinary, so it's the association," says Macquiston.
The extraordinary ordinary: There are four clocks on offer that are getting a lot of attention: "[They] seem to me relatively ordinary, so it's the association," says Macquiston.
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Sealed bids:</strong> "I can't tell you what the value of the bids are," says Macquisten. "It's a bit like when you buy a house and everyone does sealed bids and they don't know everyone else is bidding."<br />
Sealed bids: "I can't tell you what the value of the bids are," says Macquisten. "It's a bit like when you buy a house and everyone does sealed bids and they don't know everyone else is bidding."
Courtesy CAGP
<strong>Commercial interests:</strong> CAGP also expects other airports to place bids for larger items such as the travelators.
Commercial interests: CAGP also expects other airports to place bids for larger items such as the travelators.
Courtesy CAGP