Harbor View Plaza

The Harbor View Plaza building is a residential condominium building in the Waikiki precinct of Honolulu, Hawai'i. It was constructed from c. 1965–1968, designed by architect Edwin L. Bauer in a blend of Tropical Modern and Postmodern architectural styles, and built by Dillingham Development, a prolific construction company known for many notable buildings in the vicinity.

Site and construction

Prior to 1893 and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom the area was known as Kālia (Hawai'ian: “waited for” “waiting“, ”hesitating”) and was the family home of five time gold and silver medalist Olympic surfer and swimmer Duke Kahanamoku. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy the land was held by John Ena Jr., a Chinese–American businessman with ties to the Royal Family of Hawai'i. Dramatic redevelopment occurred from 1920–1970, including the formation and initial dredging of Ala Wai Canal in 1927, creation of the Ala Wai Harbor in 1935, the creation of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in 1955 (also designed by architect Edwin Bauer, and built by Dillingham Development), and the creation of the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon.

While the land was originally part of a leasehold (land lease) with a 75 year term, the building has been converted to fee simple (freehold) property.

Notable features

The building is situated at the makai (oceanside) extremity of Waikiki, and is an L shaped structure facing northwest to the Ala Wai Canal and south to its namesake, the Ala Wai Harbor, the largest small boat and yacht harbor in the state of Hawai'i. It stands sixteen stories tall, with the lowest level partially below grade level, floors 2–16 feature ten residential units per floor, with floors 1 and 2 devoted to common shared amenities, pool, mailroom, parking and reception.

It is bordered on the south by Ala Moana Boulevard, and to the northwest by Ala Wai Boulevard.

Historical designation

Harbor View Plaza is the only building in the south-west Waikiki Gateway, one of 6 zones that designate the road and pedestrian entrances to Waikiki from the surround areas of Ala Moana (north-west), McCully - Moiliili (north), Diamond Head / Kapahulu (south-east).

References