Up, Up, and Away

When the TWA Terminal by Eero Saarinen opened at Idlewild airport (now JFK) in New York in 1962, it embodied the allure of air travel. Its open “wingspan” welcomed travelers into the glamorous interior, with its sweeping concrete curves. Despite the beauty of its structural expressionism, it proved not to be functional for the long term. As jets got larger and more travelers took to the air, the terminal became obsolete, finally closing in 2001. Fortunately, it now has been impeccably restored by Beyer Blinder Belle and suitably repurposed, as the centerpiece of the new TWA Hotel, by Lubrano Ciavarra. Two seven-story glass, crescent-shaped wings, accommodating 512 hotel rooms, embrace the indelible landmark. It’s a perfect place for a layover—or to lounge inside the sybaritic original space, sipping a martini and listening to Frank Sinatra.

Photography: Balthazar Korab/Library of Congress