Update on 801 South Street and Royal Capital Plaza

Residents of the Royal Capital Plaza condominium tower have filed a protest with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to stop the building of a second tower at 801 South Street.  The first tower at 801 South Street will have a total of 635 units and has already been approved for construction.  However, developer Downtown Capital LLC has requested the rights to build a second 410-unit tower.  Downtown Capital LLC argues that there is a need to have moderate income housing in the area and believes that certain variances should be given by the HCDA since they are filling that need.  Opponents of the project argue that the second tower of 801 South Street would block views, create too high of a population density in that area and overwhelm the sewer and water infrastructure currently in place.

Aside from the residents living in Royal Capital Plaza, members of the Historic Hawaii Foundation also oppose the building of the second tower at 801 South Street.  If Downtown Capital LLC was allowed to build tower 2, it would mean the demolition of about half of the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper building, a historic building constructed in 1929.  Downtown Capital LLC has stated that they would like to build a 10-story parking garage in its location.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority is scheduled to meet towards the end of this year.  A second public hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2013.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-3-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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