A project to build the first hotel inside JFK Airport is finally taking flight at one of the airport's iconic terminals. Borough Reporter Ruschell Boone has more.
After years of proposals and setbacks, the old TWA terminal at JFK Airport is being transformed into a 500-room luxury hotel. The terminal will serve as the lobby, and with red seats and carpet, it will look just as it did when it opened in 1962. It was the "Jet Age" and Trans World Airlines ruled the skies.
The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport will have 50 thousand square feet of conference and event space, a food hall and an observation deck. It will connect to Jet Blue's terminal 5. Governor Cuomo is pushing other airlines to develop here, too.
"I'm saying to the other airlines that are at JFK today the state of New York will pledge $1 billion to partnerships to rebuild JFK in partnership with the other airlines and the other terminals to build the greatest airport on the planet," said Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The $265 million renovation is being privately financed. Officials call it a financial win for the state and the borough.
"It's an amazing generator not only from the employment perspective, but from people who come to visit here, work here, have to come through here," said Borough President Melinda Katz.
The terminal was designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen. However, it has been vacant since TWA went bankrupt 15 years ago.
Many consider it a masterpiece of Jet Age luxury. Donning their old uniforms, many former flight attendants remember what it was like walking through here.
Now they're looking forward to coming back as guests.
The construction on what will be a 6-story building will take about 2 years and the hotel is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.