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,[3] a prolific construction company known for many notable buildings in the vicinity.

Harbor View Plaza
pre-construction architectural rendering of Harbor View Plaza building
Pre-construction architectural rendering of Harbor View Plaza building
Map
General information
TypeResidential condominium tower
Architectural styleTropical Modernism, Postmodernism
Address1676 Ala Moana Blvd.
Town or cityWaikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
CountryUnited States
Coordinates21°17′14″N 157°50′24″W / 21.2872856°N 157.8400082°W / 21.2872856; -157.8400082
Elevation3m
Named forAla Wai Harbor
Year(s) builtc. 1965–1968
Cost4.1 Million (USD) [1]
Height~50m
Technical details
Structural systemReinforced concrete and concrete masonry units
Floor count16
Lifts/elevators2
Grounds31,060 sq ft
Design and construction
Architect(s)Edwin L. Bauer
DeveloperDillingham Construction
DesignationsWaikiki Gateway, Special District[2]
Other information
Number of units140
FacilitiesPool, lobby, mailroom, parking, storage
Website
harborviewplaza.com

Site and construction

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Prior to 1893 and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom the area was known as Kālia (Hawai'ian: “waited for” “waiting“, ”hesitating”)[4] 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,[5] 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,[6][7] the building has been converted to fee simple (freehold) property.[8]

Notable features

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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.[9]

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

Historical designation & appearance in media

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Harbor View Plaza is the only building in the south-west Waikiki Gateway,[10] one of 6 zones that designate the road and pedestrian entrances to Waikiki from the surrounding areas of Ala Moana (north-west), McCully - Moiliili (north), Diamond Head / Kapahulu (south-east).

The building exterior, lobby, parking lot and a unit interior are featured in Hawaii Five-O (1968) episode "Percentage" season 5, episode 21 as the "Hawaiian Tower Hotel," as a safehouse used by the state police.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Condominium Project". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ "Waiki Special District Design Guidelines" (PDF). honolulu.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  3. ^ "The Honolulu Advertiser from Honolulu, Hawaii". Newspapers.com. 1965-10-26. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  4. ^ "Kālia". Images of Old Hawaiʻi. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  5. ^ Cocke, Sophie (2013-05-20). "Ala Wai Canal: Hawaii's Biggest Mistake?". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  6. ^ "Harbor View Plaza, 1676 Ala Moana Blvd". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 1965-11-19. p. 37. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  7. ^ "Condominium project to cost $4.1 million". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 1965-10-26. p. 31. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  8. ^ "Maintenance Fees: Not So Hidden Costs". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 2010-10-17. p. 83. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  9. ^ "Horizontal Property Regime Report" (PDF). Honolulu.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  10. ^ "Waikiki Special District Design Guidelines" (PDF). Hawaii.gov. June 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  11. ^ Butler, Robert (1973-02-20), Percentage, Hawaii Five-O, Jack Lord, James MacArthur, Al Harrington, retrieved 2024-07-03