The city of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting hosted their first public hearing yesterday in regards to 2121 Kuhio Avenue, also known as the Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach. The session was heavily attended and the public expressed their displeasure and frustration against the $180 million condominium-hotel project plan. Concerns were raised that the building appeared to be “tombstone like” and was visually an “ugly wall”, a “sore thumb” and a “monstrosity”. Most importantly, members of the community were furious that the tower was positioned with its long axis being parallel to the mountains and ocean. This orientation meant that that all 361 units of the Ritz-Carlton Residences would have expansive ocean views, but would violates the Waikiki Special District Design guidelines which call for a perpendicular orientation to preserve mountain views and natural ventilation.
According to the developer, PACREP, the units would be sold to investors at an average price of $654,000. To obtain this high average, the building must be parallel to the ocean to maximize views. The only party that spoke in favor of the proposed building’s orientation was Kika Bukoski, the executive director of the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council. Bukoski stated, “The guidelines are just that. They are guidelines. They are not mandates.”
The Department of Planning and Permitting will meet on March 19th to decide if the permit to start building would be granted. If so, construction is expected to begin in June 2013 and the building would take two years to complete.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-13-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
