The Howard Hughes corporation is currently developing several condominium projects, part of their broad based redevelopment of Ward Village in Kakaako. General Growth spun off The Howard Hughes Corporation as a public company on November 9, 2010. The property consists of approximately 60 acres of prime under developed property within the urban core of Honolulu and adjacent to a beautiful beach park and a marina.
Howard Hughes Corporation constructs master planned communities and retail centers primarily on the mainland. They craft their developments carefully: setting a high luxury bar to maximize returns. However, the development of Kakaako is a bit different. Very few opportunities allow for such a large scale development within an already vibrant urban locale such as Honolulu. Howard Hughes is creating Ward Village. Ward Village will be an upscale, luxury and ultra-luxury community. Taking advantage of its placement adjacent to Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin is key. Also the close proximity to downtown financial district and Waikiki make it a very convenient area for people to live, work and enjoy life.
The styling of the development will be fresh and contemporary. Residents will have close access to hundreds of shops, many restaurants, and a coming Whole foods. The close proximity of the Ala Moana Beach Park which offers sunning, swimming, surfing including stand up paddling. Howard Hughes Corp has also taken over the extended lease of Kewalo Basin. This small harbor will be remodeled, revamped and rejuvenated to make way for a more user friendly and likely more affluent marina. Larry Ellison and other wealthy visitors regularly dock their yachts in this small marina. As the marina is further developed look for more wealthy yacht owners to come and visit. The area will also become much more pedestrian friendly.
Close by Ward Village there’re many opportunities for shopping, dining, cultural entertainment and work. The Neil Blaisdell Center which includes the Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall is on the edge of the arts district in Honolulu. With the Honolulu Museum of Art with the Doris Duke Theater just beyond. Then toward Diamond Head is ever popular Waikiki. This tourist district is fun to visit for shopping, entertainment dinging and beautiful Waikiki Beach.
Howard Hughes expects to build up to 30 new buildings within their 60 acres of developable area. The projected time frame to accomplish this may take over 20 years. Because they have the ability to craft an entire an neighborhood, each building will be designed to maximize its view in relationship to the other buildings to be built. This part is an unprecedented opportunity. They are also committed to bringing in some of the highest grade architecture. The design teams being brought in are top tier architects and designers. The biggest news is that award winning architect Richard Meier is designing the Gateway. He is also designing an acre park in the middle of Ward Village. This is the level of spectacular development we can look forward to in the coming years.
The first four condominium towers have been announced. The first two condominiums to be sold, Waiea and Anaha, and close to being sold out. Waiea will be the first tower to be finished. Expect the Waiea to be completed at the end of 2016. Anaha located on Auahi street will be finished in the first quarter of 2017. Then the next two condominiums will be completed in 2018. The Gateway cylinder tower represents a new level of ultra-luxury development in Honolulu. After a competition, Richard Meier was chosen to design and complete this cylinder tower, a one acre park and an additional condo to be named. The second tower, casually called the Blade, has not been formally scheduled yet.
Ae’o
The final building is the Ae’o condominium. This is the lowest priced condo per square foot of all 4 condos, but this building has its own special element. A 50,000 square foot Whole Foods will be built on the ground floor. Many who are buying in the building are buying for 2 main reasons: 1) to owning Ward Village, a Howard Hughes community and 2) to be that close to Hawaii’s largest Whole Foods.
We are waiting for the next epic announcement fromHoward Hughes as they unfold tis unprecedented urban opportunity.
Important links:
Ward village condos
For more info: 1-808-394-9779
Ae’o
Sales have started
Ae’o site
Anaha
Sales are on the way and the building is almost sold out
Anaha info site
Gateway Towers
Some units and penthouses are still for sale.
More about The Gateway Towers
Waiea
The Weaia is almost sold out.
Waiea information site