A 1960s-Era Pan Am Building in Miami Will Reopen as a Luxe Private Terminal

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.

PS 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.

It’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.

What 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.