Hotel Transformation of Saarinen’s TWA Terminal Tops Out

TWA Hotel flag and American Flag raised to the top of the north hotel structure. Image © Max Touhey

Construction on the transformation of Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Flight Center into the new TWA Hotel has hit major milestone, as the project has now topped out.

MCR CEO Tyler Morse and Turner Construction's Rick Faustini and Gary McAssey standing next to the north hotel tower crane with ceremonial flags. Image © Max Touhey

The plans will see two low-rise hotel wings spreading out from the existing terminal structure, which will serve as the lobby and lounge. At 200,000 square feet, the space is believed to be the largest hotel lobby in the world. Once complete, the TWA Hotel will contain 505 guest rooms, 50,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces and a series of dining and retail options.

Paying homage to the structure’s history, the new TWA Hotel will also contain a Jet Age and mid-century modern museum showcasing furniture, uniforms, posters and memorabilia from the TWA’s hayday.

Future TWA Hotel Grand Ballroom. Image © Max Touhey

Workers and partners fill the Saarinen terminal building at the topping out event. Image © Max Touhey

Workers pour concrete on top floor of north hotel structure. Image © Max Touhey

“Since the TWA Hotel groundbreaking with Governor Cuomo less than one year ago, our team has been hard at work breathing new life into Eero Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center terminal and developing one of the most iconic hotels in the world,” said Tyler Morse, CEO of MCR and Morse Development. “This topping out brings us one step closer to reviving this treasured landmark and reopening it to the public for generations to come. Thank you to all our partners in government, labor, and construction for their support over this past year—we look forward to welcoming everyone to the TWA Hotel in 2019.” 

Learn more about the plans below:

New TWA Lounge Opens as Construction Moves Forward on Hotel Transformation

A new space has been given a retro makeover while a historic one is racing towards modernization as work continues on the transformation of Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Terminal into a luxury hotel and event space. Just completed is the TWA Lounge, a satellite space for the hotel located on the 86th floor of One World Trade Center.

AD Classics: TWA Terminal / Eero Saarinen

17 Text description provided by the architects. If you have ever flown in or out of the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, you may have experienced or noticed Eero Saarinen’s Trans World Flight Center. Even in the hustle and bustle of a busy airport, the building deserves more than just a passing glance.