Wednesday, October 10, 2012

TWA Flight Center

This past Sunday I had the great opportunity to visit the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, here in New York City. Some of you may know this terminal, or maybe even travelled via this terminal when it was still in use.
Trans World Airlines (TWA) went bankrupt in the 90's and this terminal ended operations in 2001. The terminal has been closed ever since. And that's a shame, because it is the most beautiful airline terminal I have ever seen. 
Luckily for me we have 'Open House New York- Weekend' once a year. Open House New York (OHNY) makes it possible for the public to visit places that are usually closed to the public, such as this TWA Flight Center. 
The form of the TWA Terminal represents a huge bird in mid-air with its wings spread ready for landing

 Not only do I love the outside of this building, but the inside is unlike any flight terminal I have ever seen. This building opened in 1962, in a time when travelling by airplane was not for everyone. When flying was maybe even an glamorous event. This red lounge seems to me like it could be from a movie, just amazing.

In 1994 the City of New York designated both the interiors and the exteriors of this terminal as a historic landmark. In 2005 the National Park Service listed the Trans World Flight Center on the National Register of Historic Places. The Port Authoritiy of NY and NJ funded the $ 20 million dollar renovation that has been conducted over several years. 

9 comments:

  1. Rose ~ from OzOctober 10, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Absolutely fantastic place Nellies, so futuristic and very 60's. Another era completely. It really is something special. What an amazing idea Open House New York. Lots of other places should follow this innovative offering.

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  2. Rose ~ from OzOctober 10, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    PS: What an awesome thing to present us with on your return from a little break. WOW!

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    1. NelliesOctober 11, 2012 at 6:38 PM

      Thank you Rose! Yes it is so very 60's, I really liked it a lot and was glad that I knew it would be open to the public this past weekend.

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  3. biebkriebelsOctober 10, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Het ziet er prachtig uit, wat jammer dat het niet meer in gebruik is, wat een verspilling. Goed dat het in ieder geval behouden blijft en niet vervalt zoals zoveel gebouwen in de US. Ik wist eigenlijk niet eens dat het niet meer gebruikt werd.

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    1. NelliesOctober 11, 2012 at 6:39 PM

      Ja het is inderdaad erg jammer dat het nu biet meer in gebruik is, maar volgens mij zijn ze van plan er een museum en expositieruimte voor kunstwerken van te maken zodra de hele terminal gerenoveerd is. Dat zou mooi zijn, als er nog iets nuttigs mee gedaan gaat worden!

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  4. leanne can blogOctober 10, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    It's interesting that you say that flying was glamorous- I have a great photo (from the early 60's ) of my parents & some of their siblings all dressed up & looking fabulous because they're heading out to the airport to collect someone- so even a trip to the airport can be glamorous!

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    1. NelliesOctober 11, 2012 at 6:40 PM

      That is such a nice story Leanne, I can absolutely imagine that it was quite something back in the day!!

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  5. My name is RietOctober 11, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    Wat zonde dat zoiets niet meer gebruikt wordt. Zo mooi en dan alleen maar te bezichtigen eens per jaar. Jammer hoor.

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    1. NelliesOctober 11, 2012 at 6:41 PM

      Ja, inderdaad erg jammer Riet. Maar er zijn gelukkig plannen om de terminal na de renovatie weer in gebruik te nemen als (volgens mij) een museum en iets van een expositieruimte.

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