The flight center was originally opened in 1962, and served as mid-century modernist plaza for those arriving and departing the Big Apple. Its (then) contemporary design, courtesy of Eero Saarinen, takes you to another world where flight travel was luxurious and sleek. Financial decline eventually lead to the terminal and center closing down its services in 2001. Recently with the help of MCR Development and its privately-funded $265 million plan to refurbish the center to its original 60’s mod luster — with intentions of eventually making it into a “world class” hotel, promising to preserve its natural beauty. Pictures taken by Tod Seelie depict a grounded version of 2001 Space Odyssey.
The center will open back up to the public in 2018, when people get all types of nostalgic feels before it becomes just another Howard Johnson.