Luxury Guide
How is luxury is defined in Hawaii and should you buy or build?
Imagine gazing out over the pristine Pacific Ocean perched high above all the Honolulu happenings. Hawaii luxury condos truly offer a high-class lifestyle – with astounding amenities, the most decadent finishes and ease of access to all Hawaii has to offer. Enjoy surfing at the beach, sailing from the yacht club, golfing at one of the world’s best courses, shopping at upscale boutiques and then returning home to a Hawaii luxury condo with breathtaking views, modern amenities and spectacular service.
Honolulu is home to some of the world’s most desirable luxury high rise condos. And, Honolulu is the only place in Hawaii with luxury high-rise condos – many of them newly built with the most modern construction features. The neighborhoods of Kakaako, Ward Village and Ala Moana contain Hawaii’s newest luxury condo developments while more established Hawaii luxury condos can also be found in the Honolulu neighborhoods of Waikiki and the Gold Coast near Diamond Head.
On the edge of Downtown Honolulu, the community of Our Kakaako has seen incredible transformation in recent years – from an industrial neighborhood to an upscale live-work-play community attracting Honolulu’s most accomplished artists, influencers, entrepreneurs and developers. Promised pedestrian paths and boulevards along with nearby parks, shopping, medical facilities, coffee shops and fine dining make it a desirable destination to both live and visit.
Our Kakaako has a number of new low-rise and high-rise condominiums in a variety of price ranges. And, a few ultra-luxury condo towers are scheduled to welcome home esteemed homeowners within the next few years. These luxury Hawaii condos in Kakaako are expected to sell quickly (and for more than $2 million). With limited availability, potential homeowners might want to contact their Hawaii luxury real estate agent soon to reserve these coveted spaces.
One of the first exclusively luxury Kakaako condos to be built is Alia. Located fronting the ocean on Ala Moana Boulevard, Alia’s expected completion is in 2026. And, its luxurious condos are already for sales.
Alia’s developer is Kobayahi Group, which has a reputation for constructing some of Honolulu’s most luxurious towers. Sustainably designed by architect WENS Studio (with partner Adam Woltag at the helm) and the interiors finished by Michelle Jaime’s The Vanguard Theory – Alia is expected to be contemporary yet natural and effortless.
Alluring Alia Amenities:
Alia Luxury Home Features:
Planned to be located on the prestigious front row of Ala Moana Boulevard, Kaliu Kakaako is expected to be an incredibly luxurious Hawaii condo in the heart of Honolulu’s hippest district. Kaliu’s expected completion is 2026.
Kaliu’s developer is the Honolulu-based ProsPac Holdings, which also developed the Honolulu luxury condo Azure Ala Moana. Kaliu’s architect is Design Partners Inc. While many details are yet to be divulged about these luxury Hawaii condos, we do know there will be around 300 units in the 400-foot-tall tower atop 2.42 acres. The following are a few other of Kaliu’s proposed amenities and condo residence features.
Alluring Kaliu Amenities:
Kaliu Luxury Condo Features:
The 60-acre master planned community of Ward Village is the essence of luxury Honolulu living. Located across from the ocean and touting high-end grocery stores, boutiques, entertainment options and restaurants, Ward Village’s location on Oahu is ideal. Howard Hughes is the renowned developer of the expected total 14 condominium towers, and parks and lush landscaping will ensure the community retains its Hawaii Island feel – while also offering luxurious amenities and living accommodations.
Ward Village’s ultra luxury condos offer over-the-top amenities to appeal to almost any health, entertainment or living need a resident may have. Security and concierge service are also the norm in luxury Ward condos. Ward Village luxury condos also maximize views by having front row positioning on Ala Moana Boulevard – an easy walk to the beach or marina.
Note if you are an out-of-state buyer living in a closed state (New York, Nevada, New Jersey, Idaho, Oregon), it is not allowed to speak with Howard Hughes directly; instead, a Hawaii luxury real estate agent can represent you.
The first property completed in Ward Village, Waiea is an architectural marvel fronting the Pacific Ocean along Ala Moana Boulevard.
Waiea’s architect was James K.M. Cheng and WCIT Architecture and its interior design was curated by Tony Ingrao. Its signature customized glass façade covers the exterior of all 36 floors, offering sweeping views and an ultra-luxurious feeling.
Exceptional Waiea Amenities:
Waiea Luxury Condo Features:
Ward Village’s Kalae residential tower promises to be a new desirable Honolulu ultra-luxury condo. Kalea’s expected completion date is 2026, and sales have already begun to secure a coveted space in the condo community that was “informed by the natural beauty of the island” and “designed to inspire and engage its residents,” says Kalae Ward Village’s website.
Kalae’s architect is Ben Wrigley from Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), who is the mastermind behind Ward Village’s other luxury condo developments, like Anaha and Victoria Place. Lush landscaping is one of the standout features of Kalae, with four proposed courtyards, and Vita, Inc is the landscaping designer, which also designed the Kukio Gold and Beach Club on Hawaii Island.
Standout Kalae Amenities:
Kalae Luxury Condo Features:
Launiu Ward Village represents the only proposed front-row development within Ward Village that offers a wide range of pricing options. This luxury condominium boasts breathtaking views of Diamond Head and the ocean, providing a blend of modern refinement and opulent amenities. With a diverse selection of units, it caters to a broad spectrum of residents and investors. Situated across the street from Kalae Ward Village, it serves as the welcoming entrance located at the westernmost edge of Ward Village.
Launiu's contemporary architectural vision is brought to life by Arquitectonica, while the interior design will be done by David Oldroyd at ODADA. Although this is Arquitectonica's first venture in Hawaii, they bring a wealth of experience to the table including a portfolio of projects in 59 countries and a prestigious collection of hundreds of awards.
Launiu's Luxury Amenities:
Launiu Luxury Condo Features:
Another soon-to-be completed (in 2024) ultra luxury Hawaii condo is Victoria Place in Ward Village. Located on the front row facing the ocean on Ala Moana Blvd., Victoria Place will be an exclusively residential tower, with no commercial spaces like other buildings in Ward Village. The ultimate luxury lifestyle can be lived in Victoria Place with the highest quality condo finishes and an array of outstanding amenities on multiple floors.
The architect behind Victoria Place is Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB). And, this exciting new Hawaii luxury condo is already sold out, so prospective buyers must now wait until resale occurs after residents move in.
Alluring Victoria Place Amenities:
Victoria Place Luxury Condo Features:
The Park Ward Village offers luxury Hawaii condos with an expansive amenity deck in the desirable Ward Honolulu planned community. The Park is expected to be completed in 2025, and its more than 500 condos are almost all pre-sold.
The architect behind The Park Ward Village is Francesco Mozatti, and interiors were designed by Yabu Pushelberg. The Park evokes a mid-century modern design with elegant attention to detail. Vita Landscape Architect is behind the lush landscapes surrounding The Park.
Notable The Park Ward Village Amenities:
The Park Ward Village Condo Residence Features
Located in the heart of Ward Village with upscale eateries, the movie theater and Whole Foods within walking distance, Anaha is one of Ward’s original luxury Hawaii condos, completed in 2017. Anaha’s upscale finishes and enviable amenity deck make it a highly desirable building to call home.
Designed by architects at Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Benjamin Woo, Anaha features all of the special details that residents expect in a luxury home.
Anaha Luxury Amenities
Anaha High-End Residential Unit Features
Nestled between Kakaako and Waikiki, Ala Moana has always been a destination to fulfill luxury shopping needs at Ala Moana Shopping Center. And, recently new luxury Hawaii condos are being built in the area - offering a variety of upscale living options in exclusive condominiums.
The neighborhood of Ala Moana has access to all of Honolulu’s best and most luxurious amenities. Living at a luxury Hawaii condo at Ala Moana allows easy access to shop at stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and more. Ala Moana also has access to some of Oahu’s best surfing breaks along with a yacht club and more. And, with a variety of restaurants and entertainment options nearby, Ala Moana is one of Honolulu’s most desirable neighborhoods to live a luxury lifestyle.
Park Lane Ala Moana is an ultra-luxury Hawaii condo building featuring a variety of floor plans, exquisite views and upscale amenities. It sits on seven acres of oceanfront estate.
Completed in 2017, Park Lane is located on the Ala Moana Shopping Center property and drew inspiration from world-renowned Hawaii architect Vladimir Ossipoff. Kobayashi Group and the MacNaughton Group were the developers of these revered Honolulu luxury condos.
Park Lane Ala Moana Resort-Style Amenities
Park Lane Residence Features
With an elevator connecting to Ala Moana Center (AMC), One Ala Moana offers luxury Hawaii condos with incredible ocean and mountain views and a full floor of upscale amenities.
The two wings of One Ala Moana (each with its own elevator) were developed by renowned Honolulu developers Kobayashi Group and The MacNaughton Group with architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Benjamin Woo Architects taking the lead. Philpotts Interiors ensured every design detail was considered to offer residents their desired luxury lifestyle.
Astounding One Ala Moana Amenities
One Ala Moana Condo Features
Across the world, Mandarin Oriental is known for its ultra luxury properties and top-notch service and amenities. And, the Mandarin Oriental Honolulu is expected to open by early 2024, offering 99 private residential condos alongside 125 upscale hotel rooms. The Mandarin Oriental’s $35 million penthouse is expected to be the most expensive (and luxurious) condo ever listed in Honolulu.
The Residences at Mandarin Oriental are being developed by Salem Partners with [au]workshop and AHL taking the lead as architects and Dianna Wong Architecture + Interior Design ensuring luxuriously finished interiors.
Exclusive Mandarin Oriental Honolulu Amenities
Residences at Mandarin Oriental Condo Features
The bustling destination of Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s top tourist spots – both historically and today. And, while many might think that Waikiki is simply a tourist town with over-the-top attractions, like luau shows and weekly fireworks, a couple luxury Hawaii condo-hotel buildings offer a peaceful, serene escape from the Waikiki bustle: The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach and Trump Tower Waikiki.
These two buildings not only offer upscale living accommodations for owners but also the ability to do short-term vacation rentals (within the hotel front desk pool or with a few select preferred vacation management vendors). Luxury condos in Kakaako or Ward Village do not allow short-term vacation rentals, and long-term vacation rentals must meet the minimum 30-day requirement per tenant.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, showcase some of Hawaii’s most awe-inspiring penthouses as well as other luxury condo living options across two towers (Ewa and Diamond Head Towers). These towers were completed in 2016 and 2018, offering modern amenities. And, with the Ritz’s signature service and upscale amenities, being a Ritz-Carlton Residence homeowner is definitely an opulent choice.
Awe-inspiring Ritz Carlton Waikiki Amenities
Ritz-Carlton Residence Features
While most luxury Hawaii condos have been developed in the past decade, the Gold Coast (fronting the ocean between Waikiki and Diamond Head) is historically a very sought-after stretch of luxury Hawaii real estate.
Most of these condo buildings were developed in the late 1950s and 1960s. Some have been remodeled to have the most luxurious modern finishes and amenities, while other Gold Coast condos might need some updating. Almost all Gold Coast properties have that old Hawaii charm.
Because of the Gold Coast’s unique location – in front of the ocean, near the iconic Diamond Head crater and fronting the huge Kapiolani Park – Gold Coast Honolulu condos provide a peaceful enclave next to bustling Waikiki. Gold Coast properties have a premier Honolulu location – steps away from the private Outrigger Canoe Club, the Elks Club, the Honolulu Aquarium, the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki’s best surf spots and beaches and high-end restaurants and shopping. However, limited traffic along the coast offers a peaceful escape that is steeped in the sounds of the Pacific Ocean waves.
Rarely on the market, the Gold Coast consists of 16 oceanfront residential cooperatives and condos, along with some hotel resorts, like the upscale Kaimana Beach Hotel. Some of the most desirable luxury Gold Coast condos are found in the Coral Stand Building and the Diamond Head Apartments building – perhaps because of their classy architecture atop sturdy concrete pillars.
New Hawaii luxury real estate development is exciting – especially when considering the array of opulent amenities and the most modern finishes and features that can be constructed when planning to meet the desires of the most discerning, luxury Hawaii homebuyers. And, new luxury Hawaii condos are almost always sold before the building construction is complete – demonstrating the continued demand for new condos in communities such as Kakaako, Ward Village and Ala Moana.
A luxury Hawaii condo that was constructed many decades ago, such as those found on Diamond Head’s Gold Coast or in other Honolulu condo communities, can have unique features, floor plans and upgrades – and old Hawaii charm. Also, existing Hawaii luxury condos offer homebuyers the opportunity to tour the condo in its completeness, giving more assuredness that the sale will be satisfying. However, older condos might need more updates, and do not always offer the awe-inspiring amenities of new Hawaii luxury condo developments.
Whether newly built or built decades ago, Hawaii luxury condos offer an envious lifestyle. From easy access to the pristine Pacific Ocean to magnificent sky-high views, minimal maintenance to amazing amenities, Hawaii luxury condos offer the best-of-the-best lifestyles in Hawaii paradise.
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