Yesterday I covered news that Capital One will open a lounge at Washington Dulles airport. Details of that lounge – location, size, amenities, etc. – are below.

After I shared this news Capital One issued a statement that tells us a very little bit about what to expect.

Capital One has won a bid to bring the bank’s first-ever airport lounge to customers traveling through Washington Dulles International Airport – just miles from its own headquarters. As D.C.’s hometown bank, the win also highlights Capital One’s ongoing growth and commitment to the local D.C. area and its residents; our roots in the region are deep and we’re excited to keep expanding our presence and impact.

When it opens next year, the lounge at the Dulles airport will be another way Capital One provides our customers unique travel benefits, along with exclusive access and experiences, in areas they are passionate about. We are committed to offering customers best in class travel cards that provide incredible value and flexibility, and that continue to become more rewarding.

Capital One is based in Northern Virginia (Tysons Corner) so Dulles is their home airport. It’s a logical opportunity. There have been rumors about a premium version of their Venture card. Could it offer lounge access?

They’re telling us that the lounge:

• Will be a new card benefit
  
• Will open next year

Pressing for more information they effectively laughed at me, “We will release more specifics on the lounge, including details on lounge access, as the opening approaches.” Let’s see if we can’t scare up any leaks though!

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This week the Washington area airports authority will authorize a contract for new lounge space in the old control tower, a project whose possibility I wrote about last April. The lounge will be just past TSA, total 9100 square feet, with branding sponsored by Capital One.

The lounge will actually be operated by TAV Operations Services. TAV is a subsidiary of Turkey’s TAV Airports, and operates more than 90 lounges in 28 countries including Prime Class lounges at New York JFK and Palm Beach and the Turkish Airlines lounge at Washington Dulles.

The currently empty was was most recently two restaurants and a food court before the airport built the AeroTrain (and new Pre-Check Security Lanes 50-55).

Based on drawings the lounge should feature an observation deck. Construction may take time because it will involve running new utilities including heating and ventilation, and as I understand it plans are subject to review by the Virginia State Historical Preservation Office.

Once completed the lounge will offer “high quality” dining, “premium” liquor and wine, as well as:

• conference room
  
• quiet room
  
• workout room
  
• showers
  
• spa services
  
• kids play room

Construction is expected to cost at least $7.5 million, and the lease agreement calls for a guarantee to the airport of nearly $23 million over 10 years. The airport will realize one-third of gross revenues from the lounge.

Since this lounge is attached to the main terminal building, it would be accessible to all passengers eligible for access. The lounge is expected to be pay per use, and Prime Class lounges generally accept Priority Pass. How access will work here exactly is not yet clear.