Beehive, Art Deco terminal building in Crawley, England
The Beehive is a three-story circular terminal with six telescopic corridors arranged around its perimeter that once connected directly to aircraft positions. This design created a unified structure where all airport functions operated within a single round building.
The building opened in 1936 as Gatwick Airport's first terminal and launched regular international service. Its construction marked a turning point in aviation development for the region, bringing together all airport operations in one location.
The building takes its name from its distinctive round shape that resembles a beehive. Visitors can still observe how the layout reflects the era's thinking about organizing air travel and passenger movement.
Visit during business hours to see the interior layout when office spaces are active and the structure is most visible. Remember that it functions as a working business center, so access to certain areas may be limited.
It was the world's first airport terminal to combine all aviation functions under a single roof, establishing a new model. This groundbreaking design influenced how terminals were conceived everywhere afterward.
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