Construction Begins on Howard Hughes’ Whole Foods Condo Project in Kakaako

By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

Honolulu–The Howard Hughes Corp. officially broke ground on Aeo, a 466-unit mixed-use residential tower located in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako. Upon completion, the new luxury high-rise will be anchored by Hawaii’s highly anticipated Whole Foods Market flagship store.

Aeo and Whole Foods Market at Ward Village in Kakaako

Designed by world renowned architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson in partnership with Architects Hawaii, Aeo’s façade will take on a dramatic sculptural form that echoes patterns of the wind. Completion is expected in approximately two years.

Along with two other high-rise condo projects–Waiea and Anaha–Aeo will make up the first completed district of Ward Village, a mixed-use master-planned community that will rise on 60 acres of land between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Ward Village currently ranks as the nation’s largest LEED-ND Platinum certified project. The development incorporates and promotes the highest standards of sustainable neighborhood design, including pedestrian orientation, bicycle friendliness, easy access to public transit, use of recycled materials, as well as water and energy efficiency.

The upcoming Whole Foods Market will further enhance the transformation of Ward Village into an environmentally sustainable, walkable community. The new 54,000-square-foot store will support local farms and producers and will offer the best selection of quality organic products available.

Named after Hawaii’s Aeo stilt bird that once lived in the area, Aeo will provide residents with easy access to Ala Moana Beach Park, the revitalized Kewalo Harbor, local boutiques, various eateries and the 16-screen movie theatre at Ward Entertainment Center. Given the direct access to Ward Village’s four-acre village green, the project will bring an ideal residential environment for healthy and active living in urban Honolulu. With prices starting in the $700,000s, Aeo will offer a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums with stunning ocean and mountain views and ample parking with 700 spaces to accommodate residents, shoppers and those visiting Ward Village. The development’s general contractor is Layton Construction.

Waiea, meaning “water of life” in Hawaiian, was designed by Vancouver’s James K.M. Cheng in collaboration with Honolulu-based firm WCIT Architecture. The project features 171 residences and 8,000 square feet of retail space. Construction began in June 2014, and should wrap up in late 2016.

Anaha, meaning “reflection of light,” was designed by global architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, along with Honolulu-based Benjamin Wood Architects. The building will offer 311 condo units and 17,000 square feet of retail space. Construction began in fall 2014, and completion is scheduled for early 2017.

The Howard Hughes Corp. secured a $600 million non-recourse construction loan from Blackstone for the development of Waiea and Anaha, as previously reported by Commercial Property Executive.

Image courtesy of the Howard Hughes Corp.