Luxury Hawaiian Anaha Tower Debuts

Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), in partnership with Benjamin Woo Architects, has completed the Anaha tower, a 317-unit luxury condo development located at 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. in Honolulu. The 38-story development is owned by Howard Hughes Corp. and is the second residential condominium tower to be completed within the 60-acre master-planned community Ward Village.

The 857,000-square-foot tower targeting LEED Platinum for neighborhood development, is plated with a sequence of shifted and softly curved floor panels, which in the light appear to be ever-changing. In fact, the Anaha name means ‘reflection of light’ in Hawaiian—and the floor-to-ceiling glass panels and the tower’s undulating shape were inspired by the island’s artistic tradition of abstracting waves. In addition, the radiused, high solar-performing, coated, insulated glass units add to the effect.

“The architectural form draws inspiration from both the urban context and the coastal location. Abstractions of waves are common in the islands’ artistic traditions and wave motifs are often used to adorn treasured artifacts. The tower’s shape is derived from a sequence of interlocking and alternating softly curved floor plates, wrapped in a smooth glass skin. The composition is reminiscent of the play between the crests and troughs of a calm ocean wave. And like a wave, the reflection of light off the façade will constantly alter as the viewpoint and environmental conditions change,” Strachan Forgan of SCB Architecture, said in prepared remarks.

One of Hawaii’s most loved chefs—Peter Merriman—will open one of his signature restaurants at the podium level of Anaha at the corner of Auahi and Kamake’e street. Moreover, in the heart of Ward Village and near Anaha, a Whole Foods Market will open soon.

Bountiful amenity package

Anaha at Ward Village consists of 244 tower residencies and 73 townhomes and flats, with the unit mix comprising studios and one- to three-bedroom floorplans. Building features include:

• high-performance, double-glazed, low-e coated glass curtain wall system
• centralized high efficiency air-conditioning and hot water systems
• 24/7 onsite and neighborhood courtesy patrol
• energy efficient LED lighting
• dual elevator lobbies
• dedicated service elevator
• landscape design by SurfaceDesign Inc.
• water features and lush plantings

One of the tower’s most impressive features is the glass-bottomed pool extending out from the seventh floor. Cantilevered 75 feet above the ground, the pool is the latest in a series of similar designs completed around the world.  

Interiors are the result of the collaboration between SCB and Woods Bagot Interiors and feature:

• nine-foot high ceilings
• 10-foot penthouse overheight ceilings
• hardwood flooring in living rooms and kitchens
• wool carpet in bedrooms
• master bedrooms with freestanding tub
• polished-quartz composite counters
• walk-in closets with closet systems
• plantation style sliding doors
• European cabinetry
• Miele kitchen appliances
• gas cooking
• wine refrigerators
• Dornbracht plumbing fixtures
• Toto water closets
• motorized window shades

Interior common-area amenities include a deluxe fitness center with yoga room and active fitness room, resort-style locker rooms with steam, sauna and treatment rooms, resident theater/performance room, resident dining rooms with catering and chef’s kitchen, Victoria Ward Library, Howard Hughes Bar, Billiards room, indoor golf simulator and conference room/business center. Outdoor amenities consist of an ocean-view pool and hot tub, poolside cabanas, ocean-view lanai, children’s play area, dog park, tennis court, sand volleyball court and putting green.

Images courtesy of Nik Lehoux