MIA breaks ground on first-of-its-kind luxury terminal
- Jake Nicholas
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
Miami's landmark Pan Am building is trading flight attendant training for champagne toasts as PS unveils plans for an ultra-exclusive private terminal at Miami International Airport, opening spring 2026.
The 1963 midcentury modern structure—nicknamed the "Taj Mahal of Miami" for its resemblance to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi—will transform into Florida's first luxury commercial terminal. The two-story building features an intricate brise soleil facade of interlocking trapezoidal pieces, slender gold metallic columns supporting a flat overhanging roof, and a dramatic reflecting pool stretching along Northwest 36th Street.
PS, which already operates exclusive terminals at Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and soon Dallas-Fort Worth, will preserve the building's architectural DNA while creating a jet-setter's paradise. Original Pan Am globe logos molded into courtyard walls, gold-anodized aluminum panels, and the projecting canopy that sweeps from the elevated entrance through the lobby to an interior courtyard will all be meticulously restored. The architectural restoration and adaptive use of this landmark is being led by RJHA.
The terminal will house five private suites priced at $4,950 for up to four people, each featuring personal lounges, marble-finished bathrooms with showers, private balconies overlooking the courtyard, daybeds, entertainment centers, and fully-stocked bars. Two semi-private Salon spaces at $1,295 per person will offer gourmet dining, a wraparound wooden bar, and access to the outdoor courtyard with its restored reflecting pool and fountain.
Both tiers include private TSA and customs clearance, chef-prepared meals, and chauffeured BMW transfers directly to aircraft. The Private Suite level adds dedicated staff and an on-site spa offering massages, haircuts, and manicures. Annual memberships provide discounted visit rates.
Interior designer Cliff Fong, who designed PS LAX, is channeling Miami's vibrant culture through terrazzo, marble, smoked glass, and patterns inspired by Lilly Pulitzer and Marimekko. RJ Heisenbottle Architects oversees the restoration of this Miami-Dade Historical Site, originally designed by Steward-Skinner & Associates Architects and Maurice H. Connell & Associates Engineers.
The Pan Am building once housed the airline's regional headquarters and flight attendant training school, where young women learned in-flight service and presentation skills during commercial aviation's golden age. PS continues expanding internationally with a Paris Charles de Gaulle terminal also slated for 2026.
