Developer PACREP 2 LLC is requesting the rights to build a second hotel-condominium at 2139 Kuhio Avenue, next to the existing Ritz-Carlton project that is currently being built. Under the current Waikiki Special Design District plans, the maximum height restriction for the building would be 300 feet. However, PACREP is requesting a variance from the Honolulu City Council to increase the height to 350 feet. The proposal is to build a 39-story story that would reach 350 feet in height and have a total of 280 units in it. An architect employed by PACREP stated that by raising the height limit, the developer would be able to create a sleeker design that would help to minimize the visual impact on neighboring buildings. In addition, having a slimmer building would provide additional space between the new tower and the first Ritz-Carlton tower.
Some community members are still very unhappy with even the concept of the second tower regardless of its possible height, and argue that any new structure would mean the loss of view planes and open spaces, as well as increased traffic and parking problems. Opponents of the project are also demanding to find out how the developer is dealing with various Hawaiian cultural issues and are accusing the developer for making them believe that there was only going to be one tower when the project was originally proposed. Casey Federman, a principal of PACREP, stated that the developer was first focused on building the first tower and then decided to build the second tower after the first was deemed to be successful. Federman argues that the developer never misled the public in any stage of the project.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-28-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
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