Ward Village Residences Generate Brisk Sales Activity

The Howard Hughes Corporation continues to move forward with the implementation of its master plan for a new urban community on 60-acres of the former Victoria Ward, Limited estate. Ward Village is one of the most extensive and multi-faceted urban redevelopment projects to be undertaken in Hawaii. The transformation of what was primarily a commercial complex into a “vibrant, walkable neighborhood” is evolving incrementally, initially with residential components that include Ke Kilohana, Waiea, Anaha, Ae‘o and Gateway. Currently, Waiea, Anaha and Ae‘o are under construction.

The redeveloped neighborhood also will include numerous shops and restaurants, theaters, art galleries, exhibition venues, recreation facilities and a significant amount of open space to include walking and biking paths and parks, one of which will eventually comprise four acres. Ward Village will be home to a flagship Whole Foods Market located at Ae‘o, a Longs Drugs at Ke Kilohana, Nobu at Waiea, and Merriman’s at Anaha. Across Ala Moana Boulevard is Kewalo Harbor, which will undergo a $20 million renovation and expansion.

According to Howard Hughes Corporation senior vice president of sales and marketing Bill Pisetsky, more than 1,000 new homes already are under contract. “Sales have been strong at each of the towers and, as of this month, Waiea and Anaha — the first two residential projects — are more than ninety percent sold,” Pisetsky said.

Waiea, a 36-story tower at 1118 Ala Moana Blvd., is expecting its first residents to move in this November. At Anaha, a 38-floor tower at the corner of Auahi and Kamakee streets, completion of construction is anticipated in mid-2017.

Ke Kilohana, a 43-story highrise at the corner of Ward and Halekauwila, includes 375 “reserved housing” units, which sold out early this year, and 49 market priced homes soon to be released for sale.

Ae‘o, the third Ward Village residential tower to begin construction, will rise to 40 stories on an approximately three-acre site at the corner of Queen and Kamakee streets. The structure will comprise 466 condominium homes with direct access to Hawaii’s largest Whole Foods store. Fifty percent of the homes already are under contract, and one-, twoand three-bedroom units priced from the low $800,000s to approximately $2 million are currently available.

Gateway Towers, on Ala Moana Blvd., will consist of two residential buildings with one-, twoand three-bedroom units starting at $1.5 million, a collection of exclusive penthouses and 24 villas with three, four, and five bedrooms.

“The convenience and appeal of the location of Ward Village — in the corridor between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki just a few hundred yards from the ocean — can’t be overemphasized,” Pisetsky said. “This, combined with the outstanding quality of the construction and well-conceived master plan, have ensured the success of this project from the start.”

He noted that Ward Village special events — many of which are hosted in the courtyard of the IBM building — have been well received and are well attended. They include free monthly film screenings, the Kona Nui Nights Hawaiian cultural presentation, complimentary yoga classes each Thursday and more. Ward Village also hosts the Kakaako Farmers Market at Ward Warehouse every Saturday morning.

“Our office in the IBM Building functions not only as a sales center but also as a resource for information on Ward Village events and the progress of our projects,” Pisetsky added. “We invite the community to contact us and make arrangements to stop by to pick up free information and book a one-on-one tour with one of our sales agents. Our website also covers the residential developments in detail, including floor plans and amenities.”

To contact the Ward Village sales gallery, located at 1240 Ala Moana Blvd., call 581-8411 or visit wardvillage.com.

Photos courtesy of The Howard Hughes Corporation