BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
The JFK Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Airport Expo on Thursday, Nov. 12, in the historic Saarinen Building, formerly known as the TWA Flight Center.
According to JFK Chamber President Joe Clabby, the event will feature displays, expo tables and tours run by members of the aviation community. Former TWA flight attendants and pilots as well as students from LaGuardia Community College’s Aviation Program will be in attendance. Guest speaker Robin Hayes, president and CEO of JetBlue, will discuss the history and future of the structure.
The Saarinen Building opened in 1962 but closed in 2001 after TWA merged with American Airlines. The structure was later taken over and renovated by JetBlue, but has been unused since JetBlue relocated to another terminal.
Designed by Eero Saarinen, the structure is a one-of-a-kind surviving piece of the futuristic architectural style of the “Mad Men” era. Taking notice of its striking architecture, plans were announced earlier this year by Governor Cuomo to build a 505-room hotel inside of the original structure.
In conjunction with MCR Development, current plans include the addition of attached restaurants, a 40,000-square-foot reception space, a museum to highlight the building’s rich history, and a 10,000-square-foot observation deck. These renovations are currently projected to be complete in 2018.
The Saarinen Building was declared a New York City Landmark in 1994 and included in the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
The expo will take place on Nov. 12 from 9 a.m until 2 p.m. Click here for more information.
