The TWA Terminal at JFK International Airport in New York City took the first steps toward being converted into a hotel. MCR Development signed a 75-year lease with the state of New York for the hotel in 2015, and construction had started on the property as of early December, but now it is officially underway.
The property went through a period of uncertainty before MCR was attached to the project. Developers including Andre Balazs and Donald Trump previously came forward with interest in redeveloping the space, but plans floundered until MCR became attached to the property.
MCR’s goal is to create two crescent-shaped buildings consisting of 505 guestrooms. Beyer Blinder Belle is the architect of record. When completed, the property will also open eight new restaurants, conference rooms and a cocktail bar and nightclub. It will be the first hotel at the airport.
“The conversion of the TWA Flight Center into a new state-of-the-art hotel will preserve this iconic landmark while cementing JFK’s status as a crown jewel of aviation,” New York governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “This groundbreaking builds on our efforts to modernize gateways across the state and we will continue working to drive growth, support thriving regional economies and build 21st century infrastructure of the caliber that New York deserves.”
The property is scheduled to be completed in 2018.