TWA Hotel JFK Airport

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TWA Hotel JFK Airport is an iconic hotel located within John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, renowned for its adaptive reuse of the historic TWA Flight Center. Originally designed by legendary architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962 as the Trans World Airlines terminal, the building was transformed into a first-class hotel complex that opened on May 15, 2019. The project preserves the head house of Saarinen’s terminal while adding two modern hotel wings, resulting in a total of 512 guest rooms, restaurants, event spaces, and aviation-themed amenities that celebrate the spirit of the Jet Age.

The design concept of TWA Hotel JFK Airport is deeply rooted in mid-century modern aesthetics and the era of 1960s jet travel. At its heart, Saarinen’s sweeping concrete and glass TWA Flight Center—with its wing-like roof and expressive curves—serves as the hotel’s dramatic focal point, evoking the excitement and optimism of early commercial aviation. The preservation and restoration of this architectural icon were guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation, ensuring that historic details like the custom ceramic tiles and distinctive window panels were faithfully reproduced or restored.

The hotel’s material palette juxtaposes the original modernist terminal with contemporary construction. The two new wings, designed by Lubrano Ciavarra Architects, feature energy-efficient curtain wall façades with thick multi-paned glass that buffers runway noise while offering panoramic views of the airfield. Inside, furnishings and finishes in the guestrooms nod to the mid-century era, with select Knoll pieces, terrazzo flooring, and walnut details that bridge historic inspiration with modern comfort.

One of the most unique design features of TWA Hotel JFK Airport is the integration of aviation culture into every aspect of the guest experience. Beyond the restored Saarinen terminal that now houses restaurants, bars, and museum exhibits, the hotel includes a Lockheed Constellation “Connie” aircraft repurposed as a cocktail lounge, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking active runways, and a vintage Solari split-flap departure board that harkens back to the golden age of travel.

The project’s ambition extends beyond boutique lodging; it serves as an immersive homage to aviation history and design heritage at JFK Airport. Its conference center, museum displays, and mid-century detailing draw visitors not only for overnight stays but for aviation enthusiasts and design aficionados alike. Its location adjacent to Terminal 5 and accessibility via AirTrain make it a destination within the airport context.

Since its opening, TWA Hotel JFK Airport has become a celebrated example of architectural preservation and adaptive reuse, linking the legacy of Eero Saarinen’s modernist vision with 21st-century hospitality. Its success underscores the value of honoring historic design while reimagining spaces for contemporary use, making it both a functional airport hotel and a cultural landmark in New York City.