1500 Kapiolani Blvd

Aiming High in Ala Moana

1500 Kapiolani Blvd is being designed by Workshop Architects, a company based in Colorado. The planned 40-foot skyscraper is set to address some of the housing needs within Ala Moana by offering multiple types of homes, including residential condominiums, hotel rooms, and affordable housing units. Since plans for 1500 Kapiolani Blvd are still evolving, it is not yet known whether the affordable housing units will be put on the market for sale or if they will be for rent, only.

Additionally, 1500 Kapiolani Blvd will have allocated commercial spaces for retail stores and possible restaurants. The layout of the building is set across two towers, with a sky garden view that connects one tower to the other. Designs are both practical and visually appealing, providing opportunities to view the mountains and the ocean from your own unit or from one of the viewing points provided in the layout.

Another important component of 1500 Kapiolani Blvd’s design is the incorporation of sustainable features, as referenced in the community’s proposal. The building design falls within the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certification Standards for most states. Parking allocations include reserved bike stops, and there will also be electric vehicle parking stations. The community is pedestrian and bike-friendly, so residents and guests may find themselves getting much more exercise in comparison to their previous location. Designers have also incorporated wirings for ceiling fans, air conditioning that can be controlled separately from each unit, and water-efficient plumbing fixtures.

Unit Features: Varied in Design

1500 Kapiolani is set to include a variety of unit sizes and classifications. The specific number of each unit type is subject to change as plans evolve. Current building plans incorporate hotel rooms, condominium and penthouse units, and affordable housing units.

Condominium and hotel sizes will include studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, and 3-bedrooms, with the largest layouts making up the penthouse units. A majority of the units will be studios and 1-bedrooms. Additionally, designers anticipate having 60 and 80 affordable housing units that will either be rented or sold. These units will be either studios or 1-bedroom units (plus a 2-bedroom manager’s unit).

Corner homes will be available for the higher levels, with four per floor. These units will provide incredible views from several sides of the building simultaneously. Furthermore, the highest levels will feature extra-large penthouse units, which are much more private, with only two units per floor. Penthouse owners will also have access to private terraces.

Hotel Amenities, Right at Home

One of the benefits of 1500 Kapiolani serving as a condotel (a mixture of a condominium and a hotel building) is that there are plans for luxury amenities that are usually provided solely at hotels and resorts. While the specifics are still being hashed out, this building will have special amenities available to both residents and guests.

The Level 7 amenity deck is set to include a pool with a swim-up bar, along with a 3-meal restaurant. There are also plans for a covered lawn and garden for relaxing outside. Residents and guests will have access to the 7^th floor mezzanine, the planned site of the hotel’s spa.

The 34^th floor will feature additional amenities, including an infinity-edged lap pool, a jacuzzi, and an outdoor kitchen. This floor will also include a sky garden that provides extensive views of the ocean and the city. Guests and residents can walk across the sky garden to get from one tower to the other without having to leave the building. Additionally, the 34^th floor is planned to include a covered seating grove and a children’s play area.

Some of the other special features planned for this building include a night club, a ballroom, meeting rooms, a VIP lounge, and a concierge in addition to the amenities already mentioned. There are also plans to add a dog run to the 14^th floor, suggesting that the building will be pet friendly. Plans also include a large amount of space to accommodate cars, bikes, and storage units.

Ala Moana Community

Ala Moana is one of the most convenient communities in Honolulu. Hotel guests and residents will be close to all the necessities, including grocery stores (like Walmart and Foodland Farms), pharmacies (like Walgreens and Longs), and tons of restaurants and shops. Take a walk outside, and you’ll find numerous shops for coffee, tea, and juice right outside your doorstep. The area also offers plenty of popular restaurants, such as MW Restaurant, Sushi ii, Nobu Honolulu, and Piggy Smalls, all of which are either within walking distance or just a short drive from 1500 Kapiolani Blvd.

Another benefit of living within the Ala Moana district is being a part of a transit-oriented community. Generally speaking, the area is highly walkable and bikeable. Additionally, the development will be right down the street from the Ala Moana Center Rail Station. The area also hosts several bus stops, making it easy to get to and from work without having to utilize a car. Since the Convention Center is just down the road, 1500 Kapiolani Blvd is sure to be popular among individuals coming into town for business or academic conferences, especially since the building will provide hotel rooms.

In terms of leisure, the Ala Moana neighborhood offers endless activities for both locals and travelers. The Ala Moana Shopping Center, a huge open-air mall, is right down the street from 1500 Kapiolani Blvd. This shopping center hosts numerous restaurants and stores and also serves as the location for different cultural events, such as hula dancing shows. Ala Moana Beach Park, right next to the shopping center, offers calm waters for wading into the ocean. The park also provides picnic tables and tennis courts.

1500 Kapiolani Blvd will address housing needs in Honolulu by providing condominiums (to include affordable housing units), hotel rooms, and commercial space across two high-rise towers. The community will provide luxury amenities that to be accessible for both residents and hotel guests. With its pristine location in the highly walkable Ala Moana community, 1500 Kapiolani Blvd is anticipated to be a wonderful addition to an already thriving area.