A 1960s-Era Pan Am Building in Miami Will Reopen as a Luxe Private Terminal
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Courtesy PS
Travelers passing through one of the largest airports in the US will soon have access to a plush new private terminal housed inside a historic Jet Age building.
PS, the company formerly known as Private Suite, is restoring the historic Pan Am building at Miami International Airport, transforming it into an ultra-exclusive lounge space for paying commercial airline passengers.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_9jckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_hjckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframePS currently operates out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), with plans to expand to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in 2026. The luxe spaces, popular among high net-worth and celebrity travelers, are separate from the main airport terminals and offer bespoke services as well as private security checkpoints.
When the project at MIA is complete, travelers will feel as if they’re stepping back into the glamour of the “Golden Age” of air travel in the 1960s—but with upgraded, modern amenities. The terminal will feature private TSA and customs clearance, private suites, a bar, an outdoor courtyard, decorative pools, work spaces, and more.
Originally constructed in 1963 to serve as Pan Am’s regional headquarters, the building is a shining example of midcentury modern Miami architecture. It was nicknamed the “Taj Mahal of Miami” for its similar layout to the real Taj Mahal and design that "resembles that of the US Embassy in New Delhi from 1959,” according to RJ Heisenbottle Architects, the firm overseeing the restoration project.
The Pan Am building was declared a Miami-Dade Historical Site in 2014. The structure has an intricate, lace-effect facade, delicate pillars that encircle the exterior and support the wafer-thin roof, and a dramatic undulating awning over the lobby entrance. Out front, a long reflecting pool with several fountains stretches toward the entrance.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_arckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_irckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeIt’s a space that once was a befitting home for Pan Am—a leading airline in the 1960s that was known for its over-the-top luxury and stylish design features, from its aircraft cabins to its flight attendant uniforms. The team of architects plans to honor the airline's storied history by restoring the building’s original Pan Am logos, gold panels, and accents in the lobby and courtyard walls.
PS MIA will feature private TSA and customs clearance, personal suites, a bar, an outdoor courtyard, decorative pools, work spaces, and more.Courtesy PSWhat travelers can expect at PS MIA
Once inside the private, pay-to-access terminal, travelers will have a few different areas where they can relax in luxury before their flight. PS offers two tiers of spaces and will be bringing both to its new Miami terminal: a semi-private lounge called The Salon and a truly private personal retreat called the Private Suite.
The Salon is similar to an exclusive airline lounge with a full bar, gourmet meals, and shared transportation to the aircraft. Guests can also request access to a shower suite. Renderings of The Salon area in Miami show an opulent design that’s both nostalgic and modern, with a vibrant color palette, a wooden wraparound bar, and several cozy seating areas. The space is meant to evoke “Miami’s lively culture and Palm Beach glamour” while preserving the existing midcentury details, according to a PS spokesperson.
Travelers in The Salon will also have access to the outdoor courtyard, which will have another reflecting pool and fountain, outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, greenery and palm trees, and balconies that look down from the building’s second story.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_crckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_krckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeThe Private Suite is “the ultimate choice for those seeking the highest levels of luxury, privacy and comfort,” the company’s website says. The completely private lounge comes with a stylish seating area, private bathroom with shower, a daybed, entertainment center, and a fully-stocked bar and pantry. Other perks include dedicated staff, chef-prepared meals, spa services including massages, haircuts, and manicures, and a private chauffeur to the aircraft.
The renderings for Miami’s Private Suites show bathrooms with marble finishes, private balconies that overlook the courtyard, lounge areas with warm color palettes, modern furniture, and a bar area encased by arches. Travelers in both lounge tiers can access the private TSA lane and customs checkpoint.
Miami’s Pan Am private terminal is expected to be completed in spring 2026. To enter the opulent new space, travelers will need to pay $1,295 per person to visit The Salon and $4,950 for up to four people in a Private Suite. There are also annual PS memberships available that offer discounted rates for each visit, but keep in mind that the flat rate for memberships can cost thousands of dollars per year.
In addition to the new Miami space, PS is rolling out private terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle in 2026. Those spaces will offer similar lounge options and amenities, including private TSA and customs services, as well as private transfers to the plane.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_e3ckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_m3ckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeOriginally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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