Heathrow Airport, London's Terminal 2 has closed to allow the construction of a £1bn replacement.

Work is expected to start in the new year and the new terminal - to be the base for the 25 airlines making up the Star Alliance network - is scheduled to open in 2014. Construction will be by HETco consortium, led by Laing O'Rourke and Ferrovial Aggroman, while the project architect is Foster and Partners.

Colin Matthews, BAA Chief Executive said: "The closure of Terminal 2 marks an important moment in the modernisation of Heathrow. "We look forward to the new Terminal 2 providing a new home for the Star Alliance and a better experience for our passengers, with less impact on the environment."

The original terminal, formerly named the Europa Building, opened 54 years ago and was designed by Frederick Gibberd who - amongst other projects - was also responsible for the former Heathrow Control Tower, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and London Central Mosque. Rechristened Terminal 2 in 1969, the building was designed to accommodate 1.2 million passengers annually but in its last years of operation regularly saw 8 million passengers per year passing through.