TWA Terminal

The new TWA Hotel at JFK Airport reignites the magic of Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center, a sweeping, visual metaphor for modern flight.

SBI Consultants was proud to provide innovative and impactful cost engineering solutions to MCR Development for the creation of the TWA Hotel, a redevelopment of the former TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. This magnificent project involved the restoration and repurposing of the existing historic structure as the hotel lobby and entry to restaurants, conference center, two new 6-story hotel wings and associated amenities.

SBI’s work began at the 50% Design Development (DD) phase, when it assumed responsibility for providing methods and recommendations to improve the project’s scope, schedule and costs through 100% DD phase completion. SBI harnessed its cost engineering expertise to address the formidable challenge of this project, which was to preserve the exceptional character of the original structure while integrating new performance- and systems-based interventions.  Working closely with the project team, SBI performed a thorough cost analysis of the entire site plan, including structural and other building systems, building materials, components, code compliance, specific space accommodations, and all equipment and furnishings. SBI also delivered effective value engineering services that included the identification of alternative design solutions, materials, finishes and equipment that would not compromise the schedule, program, or design standards of the project.

Now complete, the 392,000 sq. ft. TWA Hotel offers 512 hotel guest rooms with exhilarating views of JFK’s runways and the TWA Flight Center, a 50,000 sq. ft. conference center, restaurants, cocktail lounge, retail shops, fitness center, rooftop infinity pool and a 10,000 sq. ft. public observation deck with runway views. The hotel is connected to JFK’s Terminal 5 via Saarinen’s iconic red-carpeted flight tubes.

As a result of SBI’s cost engineering services during the design phase, the TWA Hotel successfully accomplished the adaptive reuse of the high profile TWA Flight Center and reinvigorates this historic landmark as an exciting and singular travel destination.