Coastal Options – Southeastern Oahu

The unique Honolulu neighbor-hood known as “The Gold Coast” is essentially a half mile strip of oceanfront properties, primarily highrise residences, between Waikiki and Diamond Head. The sixteen condominium and co-op apartment buildings, several sin-gle family homes, two hotels, and two private clubs with Kalakaua Avenue addresses constitute a distinctive and exclusive enclave of some of Hawaii’s most valu-able real estate.

Prior to the 1960s, this stretch of alternately sandy and rocky coastline was occupied by single family homes and beach cottages, some the primary residences of kamaaina families, such as the estates of the Castle family, now the site of the Elks and Outrigger Canoe Clubs. The “Castles” surf break was named for this kamaai-na family, one of many who made the Gold Coast their home during the early to mid 1900s. A number of architecturally distinguished homes have survived and are now included in a special historic dis-trict as well as the State and Na-tional Registers of Historic Places.

The high and mid-rise properties that occupy this piece of prime real estate include the Castle Surf, Colony Beach, Colony Surf, Coral Strand, Diamond Head Ambassador, Diamond Head Apartments, Diamond Head Beach Hotel, Kainalu, 2987 Kalakaua, 3003 Kalakaua, 3019 Kalakaua, 3056 Kalakaua, Oceanside Manor, Sans Souci, Seabreeze. Tahitienne, and Tropic Seas.

Currently an oceanfront unit in the Diamond Head Apartments is offered by Realtor Mary Worrall of List Sotheby’s International Realty at $2,020,000. A specialist in luxury properties with record sales to her credit, Worrall has been involved in hundreds of transactions on the Gold Coast over the past five decades.

“The Gold Coast is one of my favorite neighborhoods,” Worrall said. ”With the ocean on one side and Kapiolani Park on the other, the location is matchless… nothing like it anywhere else in Hawaii. Gold Coast residents love the park, which is like their own backyard…they exercise, bike, and jog there, often together with their friends from the neighborhood. Tennis courts are within walking distance. And, of course, the ocean is like their front yard…great for swimming and surfi ng the year round.”

The 14-story, 56-unit building is a fee simple coop with numerous special features including an oceanfront swimming pool with a covered patio area, access to the ocean, a recreation area, surfboard rack storage, and a resident manager. The grounds of the building are landscaped with mature fl owering trees. A secured, gated parking facility, which also includes storage, is located under the building and requires a key for entry. Owners have the option to rent out their unit for a minimum lease term of three months with Board of Directors approval.

Worrall’s listing, Unit 202, is a one bedroom, one bath, 952-square-foot apartment with direct ocean views. Renovations completed in 2016 included removal of the lanai to open up space in the main living and dining area. A pass-through window extends from the kitchen to what is now the dining/lanai space. Sliding lanai doors can be closed or left open for seamless indoor/outdoor living.

The spacious living room includes fl oor-to-ceiling pocket doors, creating a private space. The galley kitchen opens up to the ever-changing ocean views with a double-wide window over the sink. Other kitchen amenities include rich cherry cabinets, granite counters, and all major appliances as well as a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Both the master bedroom and the bathroom also enjoy ocean views. One parking space is included in the listed price of Unit 202. The property is shown by appointment only. Contact Mary Worrall at 228-8825.