Up, Up, and Away at the New TWA Hotel
This is arguably the most iconic airline terminal in the world. Every finish has been either restored, rebuilt, or refurbished.
Richard W. Southwick, Partner at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects
The Trans World Airlines (TWA) brand has returned to JFK International Airport in New York. But its new incarnation is as a 512-room hotel built around the historic TWA Flight Center.
The opening of the hotel in May 2019 marked the culmination of a nearly 20-year effort to redevelop the iconic flight center, which was designed by legendary architect Eero Saarinen. TWA, long controlled by the enigmatic Howard Hughes, vanished from the skies after it was bought by American Airlines in 2001. The landmark terminal, built in 1962 to accommodate prop planes, was shuttered at the same time.
In 2016, the terminal was re-born as the centerpiece for an innovative redevelopment project—that's when MCR and Morse Development began work on a $265 million project to redevelop the 17-acre site. The retro-style hotel evokes the look and feel of the 1960s, with the refurbished former flight center now featuring public spaces, restaurants, and meeting rooms.
Development of the 392,000-square-foot project included the restoration and redesign of the flight center by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects, design of two new hotel wings by Lubrano Ciavarra Architects, and a 50,000-square-foot events center designed by INC Architecture & Design.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a hotel. Two brand new hotel wings flank Eero Saarinen's historic terminal and house the TWA Hotel's 512 guest rooms. The buildings were designed by Anne Marie Lubrano of Lubrano Ciavarra Architects. “I consider the Saarinen building to be probably the sexiest building in America, if not the world," said Lubrano. “I was so overwhelmed with emotion to just have the opportunity to work with this building."
Iconic terminal reborn. The night view of the TWA Hotel shows how the design of the two hotel wings behind the original terminal emulates the original design aesthetic of the TWA Flight Center, built in 1962.
Before and after. MCR and Morse Development partnered with Atlantic Models/Gogo Aviation to restore a 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie" L-1649A to its original condition, complete with TWA livery. The plane has been repurposed as a cocktail lounge.
The Sunken Lounge. The Sunken Lounge at the TWA Hotel boasts a mechanical, split-flap departures board, designed by Solari di Udine, and a view of the hotel's restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie," which has been converted into a cocktail lounge. Among its claim to fame, the Sunken Lounge is where fans watched The Beatles arrive for the start of their legendary 1965 tour of the USA.
Paradise for aviation history buffs. Rare vintage TWA hostess uniforms are part of museum exhibitions curated by the New York Historical Society at the TWA Hotel.
Space age flight tubes. Guest rooms designed by New York City firm Stonehill Taylor are accessible through the terminal's original flight tubes, built in 1962, and made famous in the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can." Hotel guests can also reach JFK's Terminal 5 via the flight tubes.
Rooms with a view. The guest rooms inside the hotel feature ultra-quiet windows that are seven panes and 4½-inches thick to block out runway noise. Rooms also include retro furnishings, TWA-branded toiletries, and even rotary dial telephones.
From here to infinity. The observation deck at the TWA Hotel includes an infinity pool and panoramic views of one of the most-trafficked runways at JFK Airport, the fifth-busiest airport in the United States. The observation deck also provides a view of the famous Bay Runway, a nearly three-mile long landing strip.
Around the world: The Paris Café and Lisbon Lounge, under the management of Chef Jean-Georges, was also reborn as part of the terminal revitalization. The new restaurant encompasses the entire footprint of the original cafe and lounge.
Meeting and exhibit space. The Starstream Ballroom is part of the hotel's 50,000 square feet of mid-century modern-inspired event space, which can host up to 1,600 people. There are 45 event rooms, two ballrooms, outdoor terraces, and an observation deck.
