88 replies to this topic

[urbanguy]

Honolulu Metro Construction Projects Rundown




Current Statistics of buildings 12 stories or higher:

[1] 453 Completed (approx.) *I'm pretty sure its an underestimate though, because there are a few in Kaneohe, Kailua that are at least 12 stories or higher.
[2] 9 U/C
[3] 2 Approved
[4] 18 Proposed

Most Recently Completed:

[1] Ko'olani @ 47 stories (2006)
[2] Hokua Tower @ 418 ft. (2006)
[3] 215 North King Street @ 23 stories (2005)
[4] Ko'Olina Beach Club 2 @ 12 stories (2005)
[5] Lanikea Waikiki @ 300 ft. (2005)

Under Construction:

[1] Keola Lai @ 387 ft. (2008)
[2] The Watermark Waikiki @ 350 ft. (2007)
[3] Nine O Nine Kapiolani @ 345 ft. (2007)
[4] Moana Pacific East Tower @ 46 stories (2006)
[5] Moana Pacific West Tower @ 46 stories (2007)
[6] Capitol Place @ 350 ft. (2008)
[7] The Pinnacle Honolulu @ 35 stories (2007/2008)
[8] Beach Villas at Ko'olina @ 15 stories (2008)
[9] The Grand Waikikian @ 38 stories (2008)

Approved:

[1] Ewa Tower - Ward Village @ 17 stories (2008)
[2] Kulana Hale Apartments II @ 15 stories *Don't know whats going on with this, haven't heard anything about it in a while.

Proposed:


[1] The World Trade Center Hawaii @ 400 ft.
[2] Trump International Hotel and Tower Waikiki Beach @ 350 ft. (2009)
[3] 2121 Kuhio @ 300 ft. (2008)
[4] Kapiolani Akahi Continuing Care Retirement Community @ 294 ft. *Unsure if this will ever get built, haven't heard much about it for a while.
[5] 800 Nu'uanu Condominiums @ 220 ft. (2006/2007)
[6] Royal Kahili Tower @ 208 ft. (2006)
[7] Moana Vista
[8] Kakaako Project @ 25 stories *Unsure if this will ever get built, haven't heard much about it for a while.
[9] 1700 Kalakaua @ 17 stories (2007)
[10] Iwilei Elderly Housing @ 13 stories
[11] New Dormitory - Univeristy of Hawaii Manoa 1 @ 12 stories (2008)
[12] New Dormitory - Univeristy of Hawaii Manoa 2 @ 12 stories (2008)
[13] Plantation Town Apartments 1 @ 12 stories
[14] Plantation Town Apartments 2 @ 12 stories
[15] Ko'olua
[16] unnamed planned by Kamehameha Schools and partner
[17] unnamed planned by Gannett Co. and partner
[18] Allure Waikiki
-----(a big maybe-way too early to tell)
[19] *Another possible A&B Project - I will add more details when i find out more about this.

Dead:

[1] Na Hale Kai Tower 1 @ 20 stories
[2] Na Hale Kai Tower 2 @ 20 stories
[3] Na Hale Kai Tower 3 @ 20 stories
[4] Pacific Quay Office Tower
[5] Pacific Quay Hotel
[6] Puaena @ 28 stories (2007)

Other

[1] Hard Rock Hotel Waikiki

*There are many projects under 12 stories that are either proposed, approved or currently under construction too.

A few examples of smaller projects:

Waikiki Palms 1 @ 6 stories
Waikiki Palms 2 @ 6 stories
Lofts @ Waikiki @ 6 stories
250-room all-suite business hotel Honolulu Harbor @ 4-8 stories
Pacific Aviation Museum Phase 1-4
New Waikiki Retail Complex
New Cancer Research Center in Kakaako
Ocean Sciences Center
Kakaako bio center

Edited by urbanguy, 26 June 2006 - 08:41 AM.

[UCLABoy2004]

I think the Hilton tower, The Grand Waikikian is under construction, because I believe they had a ground breaking on June 15 from what the papers said.  It seems like Moana Vista is pretty strong to become approved because they already released some units and the site is completely cleared.  I believe the Cresent Heights project being proposed next to the Ko'olani is called Ko'olua, but it probably is still preliminary.  I know they have a website set up for it just to see how much interest there is in it.  www.koolua.com.  

And I think there are planning two more high rises that are not on the list.  As of Mid June's the papers were reporting that they were proposing to put a new tower on the former Wave Waikiki site called Allure Waikiki.  Plus today's papers are saying A&B are possibly shopping for a site in Kapiolani for another tower, but this one is totally at the beginning stages.

[urbanguy]

^Thanks i made a few updates, i totally forgot about Allure Waikiki. BTW which Hilton Tower is under construction? Is it the Royal Kahili? I'll probably add the other possible A&B project when the word is officially out, although, it will most likely be a future project.

[urbanguy]

Here's a rendering of the Proposed 720 Kapiolani Boulevard NCR Building Renovation Project

Cooke Clayton LLC, has proposed the development of a six-story commercial and residential loft complex at 720 Kapiolani Boulevard. The Project proposes 7,344 square feet of commercial retail use at the ground floor of the existing NCR Building.  Forty-seven (47) residential loft units and 100 parking spaces.

[DisgruntledArchitect808]

I really hope more of these types of projects (residential lofts atop a mixed-use base) are proposed.  I think these types of buildings are better suited for the urban core of Honolulu as urban in-fill projects.  The NCR lofts will hopefully be the catalyst.

urbanguy, on Jun 21 2006, 03:30 PM, said:

Here's a rendering of the Proposed 720 Kapiolani Boulevard NCR Building Renovation Project

Cooke Clayton LLC, has proposed the development of a six-story commercial and residential loft complex at 720 Kapiolani Boulevard. The Project proposes 7,344 square feet of commercial retail use at the ground floor of the existing NCR Building.  Forty-seven (47) residential loft units and 100 parking spaces.

[urbanguy]

^Definately, i hope that if this project does happen that it will inspire more projects like this especially along places like King Street, Waialae Ave or even in Wahiawa and Kailua town.

[urbanguy]

Another Update, this specific to Chinatown:

City to build housing complex in Chinatown

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

The city plans to partner with a private developer to build a transitional or affordable housing complex in Chinatown, Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced today.

Hannemann told about 300 attendees at a Chinatown Summit at the Hawaii Theatre that relieving the neighborhood homeless problems is a key priority.

The complex would be at the corner of River and Beretania, which would displace retail stores.

[DisgruntledArchitect808]

Yeah, I am hoping they do a low-rise high density apartment complex.  I like tall buildings (I wish we could have a higher height limit), but in appropriate areas...I think Chinatown should not go beyond 6 stories.

[urbanguy]

^Exactly, Chinatown is one of the few remaining areas with historical buildings in the entire city so i'd like it to keep it's character versus turning into a rich mans disneyland like Waikiki.

However, i do hope that the city or whoever allows taller buildings (perhaps slim towers) to be built at least in the CBD to Kaka'ako. Also, i'm hoping that we will see some new office towers springing up soon like the proposed Hawaii World Trade Center.

[DisgruntledArchitect808]

Hey UrbanGuy...Puaena should be moved to the dead list.  Allure Waikiki is the current project name for the Wave Waikikiki site.

[urbanguy]

^That sucks it was a decent design although, it would have looked better near downtown or in Kaka'ako. I'll update the list probably later today because i have to change the Hard Rock Hotel to a rennovation project.

BTW do you know if the Royal Kahili is under construction now?

Update:

Here's what the two 12 stories each proposed condo towers in Waipahu is supposed to look like :/ Nothing special but much needed housing in that area. BTW i think that's just way too much parking. I hate parking lots its such a waste of land. It would be nicer if they could build a parking structure with some housing on top or something and spare the rest of the land for other uses.

[urbanguy]

More updates and pretty big news:

Harbor project clears a hurdle

Source: Honolulu Advertiser


A private plan to develop condominiums for residential, time-share and possibly hotel use on state land at Honolulu Harbor yesterday won a subcommittee endorsement from directors of a state agency considering the proposal.

Three members of the Aloha Tower Development Corp., including the deputy director of the state Department of Transportation, Harbors Division, recommended that the full board accept the ambitious project at piers 5 and 6 diamondhead of Aloha Tower.

Dubbed Pacific Quay, the estimated $300 million plan by Texas developer Ken Hughes includes 300 condo units, 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a public pedestrian promenade along the water's edge and 850 parking stalls.

Nearly 500 of the parking stalls would help cure a shortage plaguing Aloha Tower Marketplace. Of the condos, perhaps 60 to 80 may be dedicated as a boutique hotel, while others are proposed for an upscale version of time-share where owners typically have use of a unit for four weeks to three months.

Barry Fukunaga, Transportation Department deputy director, told other board members that the subcommittee, which studied the plan closely and collected feedback from constituents, views the project as viable and desirable.

"We think this will be a significant addition to the Aloha Tower complex," Fukunaga said. "We strongly recommend its acceptance."

The other subcommittee members were Bob Masuda, deputy director of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, and Neal Otani, president of produce wholesaler Y. Fukunaga Products Ltd.

"We all sat down and thought it was the best thing for us to go ahead with the project," Otani said.

The full seven-member board is expected to vote on the plan at a meeting scheduled for July 26.

If approved, agency staff would begin negotiating a detailed development agreement that would specify how much lease rent the state would receive, among other things.

Other details that would need to be agreed upon likely include who would pay for proposed traffic improvements along Nimitz Highway, how to ensure public access to a waterfront promenade and rules for accommodating boats at the piers.

It is anticipated that negotiations could take six months if the board approves the plan next month.

If the project is realized, it would be a major step for state officials in a long effort to make better use of prime state land at the harbor.

The agency in the late 1980s selected a previous developer's plan for a hotel, festival marketplace, condos, office building and ferry terminal from piers 5 to 14.

But the $700 million project stalled in the early 1990s after completion of the $100 million Aloha Tower Marketplace that has struggled, in part because planned phases with more parking were not built.

The agency regained development rights for the land in 2000, and has been trying to find someone to finish redevelopment.

In 2002, the agency issued a request for development proposals for the piers 5 and 6 site, which is mostly a parking lot. Agency board members embraced an initial plan by Hughes that called for loft apartments and a hotel.

But over the past three years, Hughes repeatedly expanded and modified his plan, which at one time involved selling state land for fee-simple condos, and a downtown electric trolley system.

Now Hughes is seeking a 65-year lease from the state and concentrating on piers 5 and 6.

"We're finally getting progress to a big dream that was put on hold for awhile," Fukunaga said.

A potential second phase of the vision by Hughes involves redeveloping piers 10 and 11 with a rebuilt cruise terminal building, state offices, parking and 250-room business hotel designed with an iconic profile in the shape of a cruise ship.

Other second-phase plans are to remove parking spaces from Irwin Park and continuing discussions with Hawaiian Electric Co. to move its downtown power plant to make room for a park.

The agency board expects to consider pursuing the second phase plan at some future time.

[urbanguy]

A couple of updates:

Biosafety lab to be built in Kakaako

Source: Pacific Business News

A proposed $37.5 million Pacific Regional Biosafety Lab will be built at the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kakaako. The lab will be used to develop new diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines for infectious diseases such as avian influenza, sudden acute respiratory syndrome, tuberculosis and West Nile encephalitis. Health officials say the lab is critical in developing an early-warning disease-detection system for pandemic influenza and will contribute to creating a life science park in Kakaako.

============================

The Ilikai -- Where Waikiki Begins

A local developer plans to divide ownership of Waikiki's iconic Ilikai hotel, after purchasing the two-tower property for more than $200 million yesterday.

*There has been discussion of turning all or part of the property into a Hard Rock-branded hotel, but Hawaii developer Brian Anderson said the immediate plan is merely to rename the property "The Ilikai -- Where Waikiki Begins."

This is what it looks like now:


Here's a rendering of what it may look like after rennovation:
An artist's rendering of what a renovated Ilikai might look like. Developer Brian Anderson says he intends to invest more than $40 million to transform the iconic property into an upscale high-rise hotel, while reselling part of the property to a hotel operator and other units to individual investors.

[urbanguy]

More Updates!

Pacific Quay: Harbor condo plan secures approval

Source: Honolulu Advertiser



Sketches show Pacific Quay from land, top, and from the harbor. Nearly 500 parking spaces would benefit nearby Aloha Tower Marketplace.



State officials gave Texas developer Ken Hughes the green light yesterday to proceed with plans to build 300 condominiums on public waterfront property diamondhead of Aloha Tower.

If negotiations on financial terms and other details proceed smoothly, Hughes could begin construction in about six months on Pacific Quay — a 130-foot-high complex with condo units, retail and restaurant space, 850 parking stalls and a public pedestrian promenade around the water's edge at piers 5 and 6.

The Aloha Tower Development Corp., the state agency which oversees the property, approved the project following a public meeting yesterday that drew mostly positive comments from a handful of residents.

The agency pledged to solicit more public input to help refine details of the plan, which has evolved over the past three years.

"I say the plans look great, and let's get on with it," said Carol Hopkins, a member of Scenic Hawai'i, a nonprofit environmental group.

Local architect Andrew Yanoviak also praised the plan for its mid-rise design and example of urban in-fill planning. "I encourage you to go forward," he said.

But Michele Matsuo, the owner of a seventh-floor residential condo in the makai tower of Harbor Square, said she felt approval of the project was inappropriate without notifying immediate neighbors.

"We will not have any harbor view anymore," she said. "My view will be obliterated."

Matsuo said Hughes attended Harbor Square's board meeting Tuesday night and made an informal briefing that led her to express her objection yesterday to the state agency. She also said tenants in other nearby buildings have not been directly apprised of the project.

Hughes said over the past three years he has met with 22 community groups and has received a consensus of support.

IN TWO PHASES

The project in August 2004 drew a 7-0 vote from the Downtown Neighborhood Board supporting the concept, which at the time comprised 350 loft apartments at piers 5 and 6 plus a downtown electric trolley system, a park replacing Hawaiian Electric Co.'s downtown power plant, removing parking spaces from Irwin Park and 10 stories of parking and condos at piers 10 and 11.

Since then, some elements of Pacific Quay have changed, though Hughes still plans a second phase of development that includes eliminating the parking from Irwin Park, moving the power plant and building a new cruise terminal with a 250-room hotel, state offices and parking at piers 10 and 11.

A bypass tunnel under Nimitz Highway is another potential piece of the estimated $300 million master plan.

Only the plan for piers 5 and 6 was approved yesterday. The private project would be built on land leased from the state. The state agency expects to consider elements in the second phase at some future time.

On piers 5 and 6, Hughes envisions six stories of condos above two levels of parking and about 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Of the condos, perhaps 60 to 80 may be dedicated as a boutique hotel, with the balance proposed as a mix of residences and an upscale version of time-shares where vacation owners typically have use of a unit for four weeks to three months.

MARKETPLACE PARKING

Nearly 500 of the 850 parking stalls would help cure a shortage plaguing Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Aloha Tower Development Corp. members view the project as a beneficial addition to Aloha Tower Marketplace and a key step toward a long and often unproductive effort to improve prime state land at the harbor.

The agency in the late 1980s selected a previous developer's plan for a hotel, festival marketplace, condos, office building and ferry terminal from piers 5 to 14.

But the $700 million project stalled in the early 1990s after completion of the $100 million Aloha Tower Marketplace that has struggled, in part because planned phases with more parking were not built.

The agency regained development rights for the land in 2000 and has been trying to find someone to finish redevelopment.

In 2002, the agency issued a request for proposals for the piers 5 and 6 site, which is mostly a parking lot. Agency directors embraced an initial plan by Hughes that called for leasehold rental apartments and a hotel.

Over the past three years, Hughes repeatedly modified his plan, which at one time involved selling state land for fee-simple condos — an idea that raised similar concerns over a recent effort by another state agency to sell public land in Kaka'ako for private condos.

The Kaka'ako plan sparked enough of a public backlash that legislators earlier this year blocked the project bordering Kewalo Harbor and Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.

LAND WOULD BE LEASED

No such outcry has been made over Pacific Quay, possibly in part because piers 5 and 6 are part of a state harbor that restricts public use on the water, and because the state is not selling land. Pacific Quay instead would have a 65-year lease from the state.

Still, Aloha Tower Development Corp. directors yesterday said they plan to form a public advisory group to help provide more feedback on the project.

The agency hopes to attract volunteers including members of the area's residential and business community as well as people with expertise in architecture, maritime, real estate, local culture and other areas.

Michelle Matson, a local resident who fought against the private-public Kaka'ako development plan, said she supports Pacific Quay, especially for providing a green public promenade along the waterfront.

John Michael White, a developer who lives and works in Harbor Square, said he's seen many proposals for the piers 5 and 6 site.

"I can say without hesitation ... Ken Hughes is the most qualified," he said. "Let's go with this."

[flyingsquirrel]

Any estimates on prices of individual units?  I heard it was supposed to be affordable. But hawaii+downtown+ water = Broke  

I've heard some rumors about wanting to develop china town into loft condominum living.  i wouldn't mind owning something there

[urbanguy]

Don't quote me on it but i think it ranges from $200,000 to $500,000+ but i am probably way off. I can't remember exactly.

Also, as for Chinatown the loft thing was approved a couple years ago but most of the buildings are privately/individually owned so it all depends on the owners if they'd like to invest in converting the upper floors into lofts. However, if it were to get rolling, i'd love to buy a loft down there too, it will be one of the places to be in the near future as it continues to transform thanks to the Arts community. There are some really cool joints there now and i hope the trend continues. BTW do you live in the city now?

More updates, smaller project and although a strip mall, the interesting part about it is that there will be roof top parking and judging from the looks of the rendering fairly small surface parking! So, in my opinion its good to see them managing the space a bit more wisely than dedicating most of the precious land to parking.

Kapahulu Safeway center to break ground
A longtime strip mall will be replaced with an upscale shopping center

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin



Safeway Inc. is planning to celebrate the groundbreaking next month of its new store in Kapahulu.

What has long been a strip mall, home to a handful of small restaurants and shops at 870 Kapahulu Ave., is expected to undergo an upscale transformation. The name of the new center will be "The Avenue Shops at Safeway Center on Kapahulu."

Wendell Brooks III of PM Realty Group, who brokered the sale of the 4.5-acre site to Safeway, said site work will begin on Aug. 5 following the groundbreaking.

"There are signs of upgrading and changes," Brooks said. "Kapahulu is such a great avenue, with so many things to offer, and a unique character. We hope it never loses that."

In addition to the Kapahulu Safeway -- the supermarket chain's 13th on Oahu -- the center will offer close to 17,000 square feet of new retail space.

Tenants for roughly half of the new spaces are close to signing leases, according to PM Realty Group broker Kyle Arsiga. Interest was very strong, he said, and will result in a mix of both local businesses and new-to-Hawaii shops.

Rents at "The Avenue Shops" range from $8 to $12 per square foot per month, according to PM Realty Group, setting a new bar for the neighborhood.

Renderings for the new Safeway depict a sleek, contemporary supermarket with rooftop parking, outdoor seating and "art deco" touches.

The new supermarket will measure more than 60,000 square feet, about two times larger than most Safeway stores on Oahu, with rooftop parking as well as surface parking.

Completion is expected late next summer.

Brooks said Safeway's strategic location is expected to serve customers from both the neighborhood and visitors from Waikiki.

It will be in the new "lifestyle" format, similar to the newly remodeled Safeway in Hawaii Kai, which features wood floors and expanded gourmet food offerings.

Plans for a gas station, initially proposed in February of last year, were scrapped after surrounding neighbors protested the potential traffic jams it would bring.

The Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis Heights neighborhood board voted to approve the Safeway project without the gas station last year following several presentations by Safeway's director of real estate, Steve Berndt.

But not all members were pleased with Safeway's arrival.

Neighborhood board member George Waialeale, who lives next door to the Safeway site, said traffic is still his primary concern.

"They're listening to us, but they don't hear us," he said. "The traffic on Kapahulu Avenue is horrendous as it is, and now we're going to add this store."

Tenants at the strip mall have been informed that their leases will expire in mid-September.

Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins already are gone, and the space is on temporary lease to state Sen. Les Ihara (D-Kapahulu-Palolo-Kaiumki) for his campaign office.

Diamond Head Video will move to a temporary location at Kalakaua Avenue, near the Hawaii Convention Center, after 15 years at the strip mall.

A post office branch, Subway sandwich shop and discount Love's bakery also will be leaving.

JJ Diner, another longtime mainstay at the strip mall, likely will close its doors, according to owner Kenneth Lam, unless the restaurant finds a new location.

[flyingsquirrel]

Well lets hope your high estimate is not too much higher then that hehe.  The only downside to the article about the development is when they talked about the land being leased. Thats always rasises a red flag with me, unless i was filthy rich.  But then again why would i bother living in Aloha tower when i can buy a place at the Trump Waikiki

China town would definetly be excellent!  Minus the Merchent Street solicitation   , seems like its gotten worst.  Oh and Parking would definetly be an issue.  I moved back from seattle last December, and now currently reside in Manoa.  

I like the idea of the Safeway project, I undrestand that that in Kapahulu has its older community and the people who have been there along time hate the traffic and change, but its basically the Hub of Waikiki.  Its going to be busy, always.  They have great small restaurants there, like Pyramids, and India Cafe and also interesting shops that i wouldn't think would thrive anywhere else except in that area(My friends Wine the Experience store is there as well).  I absolutely love that area, and would love to see some low rise lofts there as well to blend in with the area.  Kind of reminds me of Broadway in seattle, with less of the weirdo's hehe.

[urbanguy]

^Yeah its a pretty cool area, i aslo love the mix of businesses there. Waialae Ave also seems like its turning into a cool area too, especially when it comes to food. BTW how do you like living back in Honolulu? I'm hoping to move back in the near future and just stay, kinda tired of moving around so much.

[flyingsquirrel]

i love it. It takes awhile to adjust to especially if you came here and change careers like i did. Alot of things are changing like the people and service, especially with all the new development going on now.  I see more and more people moving back to hawaii now, and i think the trend will continue.  Especially for college kids who were able to go to school in the mainland.

What city are you in now? And why do you move around so much?

Edited by flyingsquirrel, 31 July 2006 - 05:33 PM.

[urbanguy]

I currently live in Portland, Oregon just south of where you were living. Moved around a lot because of my job worked in the semi-conductor industry but i'm going planning on changing careers and doing something different and hopefully settle back in Hawaii for good. I think i've seen enough, i'll save the rest for vacations.

I've been reading a lot about Hawaii ex-pats moving back to Hawaii these days, which is good because many of them bring back a lot of great ideas/creativity, knowledge, hopes and dreams to help make things better in Hawaii. These same people usually adjust a lot faster than those just moving to the islands for the first time.

What part of the island do you live in? What changes do you notice with the people and service?

As for changes I did notice some demographical changes especially in the area i lived last. I moved back to Hawaii briefly from 2004-2005 before returning to Portland. In the neighborhood that i lived last in Honolulu which was near Ala Moana, there were a lot more Micronesians, South Asians (Indians, Sri Lankans) and African Americans in the neighborhood which was primarily Korean back in the day. Also i'd say that at least 90% of the new friends that i had made while there for that year were from an other country many of which were from Latin America or Europe. Many of them were from Peru, Brasil and Colombia and a few from places like Argentina, Czech Republic, Palestine (West Bank), Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Germany and the U.K.