We’ve been patiently holding our breath, waiting for the latest update on the progress of the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport’s refurbished TWA Flight Center, a midcentury marvel by architect Eero Saarinen. In March (of last year, that is), we got a preview of the hotel slowly, but surely coming to life. Then, as if to tease us antsy jet setters even more, we were given a look at a recreation of the TWA Lounge on the 86th Floor of 1 WTC, where we’re going to be holding an open house for our Untapped Cities Insiders. While it’s certainly been a long time coming, the second hotel tower has now fully topped out, and the north tower’s seven-layer glass facade is near complete! Take a look at the photos below to see what the TWA Hotel looks like now:

Image by Max Touhey, , courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

When it’s completed in 2019, the TWA Hotel will include 505 rooms, an observation deck, 50,000-square-feet of event space and eight bars and restaurants. Beyond that, there will be a roof top pool and a TWA Museum to be filled with vintage TWA memorabilia. We’re also told that the TWA Hotel will be one of the quietest hotel rooms in the world once that sound proof glass facade — described as a “curtain wall” — is finished. (We actually saw a sample of it in person, and it’s heavy!)

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

Image by Max Touhey, courtesy TWA Hotel

It’s certainly an ambitious project to revive the terminal back to architect Eero Saarinen’s original vision and glory, but MCR and Morse Development, which is developing the hotel, seems to be moving along full speed ahead. In anticipation of opening day, we’re very excited to be offering a members-only Open House at the TWA Lounge in 1WTC, exclusively for our Untapped Cities Insiders. Join us to get a taste of the Jet Age splendor of Saarinen’s iconic Flight Center and meet members of the Untapped Cities team! Learn more below:


Next, check out when we went Behind the Scenes at the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport and discover the Top 10 Secrets of JFK Airport.