One year after ground was broken on the site of Eero Saarinen’s 1962 TWA Flight Center, the hotel connecting to the historical landmark has topped out. The announcement was made on Dec. 15 by its project developer, MCR Development.
The TWA Hotel features two low-rise buildings that are set back on either side of the flight center’s existing terminal structure. Both wings of the hotel are slated to deliver 505 guest rooms; 50,000 sq.ft. of meeting and event spaces; and options for food, beverage and retail.
With a floor area of approximately 200,000 sq.ft., the flight center’s terminal is set to function as the hotel’s lobby. It will also be linked to a restored Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft with a bar and restaurant inside.
An aviation museum is also included among the hotel’s key features. It will showcase exhibits of mid-century furniture, inflight amenities, old uniforms, destination posters by David Klein, and other related memorabilia.
Two design teams are working on the project. Restoration of the existing structures will be handled by Beyer Blinder Belle; and the design of the new buildings by Lubrano Ciavarra. To realize the project, both designers have been working with 22 government agencies. The developer has yet to disclose an interior designer for the hotel.
Upon its completion in early 2019, the TWA Hotel will become the first development of its kind within the airport complex. Serving as MCR Development’s co-developer for the project is JetBlue Airways Corporation.
