There hasn't been much apartment development in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu in quite some time. Lilia Waikiki is changing that.
The new building at 2380 Kuhio Ave., the first new for-rent apartment development built in Waikiki in decades, is the winner of a CoStar Impact Award for multifamily development of the year for Hawaii. It was selected by an outside panel of judges who are industry professionals familiar with the area.
Lilia has 38 affordable units with 363 market-rate units, an important feature in a high-price market like Hawaii.
Waikiki is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, shopping, dining and nightlife. This address is in the heart of Waikiki, close to many of the area’s attractions.
The 28-story all-rental tower will feature studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses.
Lilia Waikiki was designed to provide a connection to the neighborhood and culture of Waikiki. The aim was also to make it a sanctuary for residents and visitors alike to live and play.
The building combines retail as well as residential and kept some elements of the landscape to give it a sense of place.
About the project: The project included 38,000 square feet of retail space on two levels and preserved a large banyan tree on the site.
What the judges said: "This is this first rental project in Waikiki in many decades. This is exactly what the community and resort need," said Mark D. Bratton, senior vice president at Colliers.
Lilia is a "home run location and the project is beautiful," wrote Jay Elicker, senior vice president at Commercial Asset Advisors.
The development is "the first of its kind in Waikiki," said Wendell Brooks, senior vice president at JLL. He added it's a "well-built project."
The building also has an "affordable component," said Grant E. Howe, managing partner of Commercial Properties in Maui.
They made it happen: Brookfield Properties' Senior Vice President of Development Kris Hui, Director of Development Blair Suzuki, Development Manager Kaeo Kane and Senior Development Manager Jeremy Shorenstein; and Benjamin Woo Architects President Masato Tochika.