Ward Village, Honolulu, Hawaii
Ward Village is rapidly changing the way that Honolulu residents live, work, and play. The force behind the movement? The Howard Hughes Corporation. They call Ward Village the perfect mix of urban and island living, and we can't agree more. The 60 acres that Howard Hughes owns makes it one of the largest landowners in Kakaako. The community is based around outdoor gathering spaces that embrace Hawaiian culture and will essentially serve as the hub of the neighborhood, flanked by restaurants, curated shops and boutiques, and of course, thoughtfully designed, beautiful residences. There are endless options for where to live on Oahu, but what sets this neighborhood apart from the rest? We're breaking down 5 reasons you might love calling Ward Village home:
Jump to: The Masterplan | The Parks | The Residences
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The Master Plan
Howard Hughes' grand master plan for Ward Village started to take shape back in 2016 with the completion of Waiea and Anaha. At that time, the plan included 22 towers spread out over Ward Village's 60 acres. Today, that plan has changed for the better, with just 14 towers planned and significantly more green space distributed throughout the neighborhood. At the heart of the master plan is a 3-acre park called Victoria Ward Park. On the mountainside of Auahi St will be the social, community-oriented, side of the park, here you'll have farmer's markets and other events. Also, Koula and The Park Ward Village will have ground floor commercial that opens out into the park so this will be a great place for outdoor dining. The ocean side of Auahi St will be the quieter side of the park with walking paths and small hills to block the sight and noise of the busy Ala Moana Boulevard. Coming at the end of 2024 will be a brand new elevated walkway over Ala Moana Blvd. This pedestrian bridge will connect Ward Village to Kewalo Harbor and Ala Moana Beach Park.
Ward Village Today (2023)
The Ward Village you see today is something drastically different from where we were just a few short years ago. Today you have a total of 6 completed buildings, 4 under construction or starting soon, and the remaining 4 in the planning stages. Walking along Kamakee Street, you get a real sense of what Howard Hughes had envisioned all along with wide covered sidewalks, trendy restaurants with outdoor seating, and a real sense of community. Heading down Halekauwila Street past the largest Whole Foods Market in the state you have another row of commercial shopping that should be open this year on the ground floor of Aalii. A few steps further will take you to Vicotria Ward Park, which is a 3-acre park that represents the center or heart of Ward Village. Right now, with Koula complete, you start to visualize the relationship between the buildings and the park and how the architects designed them to flow together seamlessly. The park won't be fully complete until early 2026 when Kalae is complete but it's clear that when that time comes, this will be a special place to live.
LEED-ND Platinum
If you're familiar with LEED Certification, this master-planned community is certified LEED-ND Platinum or the highest level of certification. In fact, it's the only LEED-ND Platinum-certified community in Hawaii and was named the Best Planned Community in the United States by Architectural Digest in 2017. That means walkable pathways, dedicated bike lanes, tree-lined sidewalks, and more. An energy-efficient community benefits all of its residents because it means water savings, improved air quality, and a smaller environmental impact.
Victoria Ward Park
Victoria Ward Park will serve as the neighborhood gathering space for residents and locals alike. Think cultural events, outdoor farmers markets, yoga in the park, free concerts, and outdoor film screenings all walkable from your residence. If you've ever experienced the convenience and charm of a walkable community, Victoria Ward Park is on track to talk the walkable neighborhood to the next level.
Unbeatable Walkability
South Shore Market is a gathering place for local creatives and entrepreneurs. It is composed of 18 merchants, many of which are locally owned, and is home to New Wave Fridays. Held on the second Friday of every month, it's an event that showcases merchants with incredible deals and discounts, plus live entertainment.
Whole Foods Market
One in seven Americans go grocery shopping every single day with a majority of Americans going grocery shopping 1.5x per week. Having a flagship Whole Foods Market within walking distance of your home will change the way you shop, eat, and live. The Ward Village Whole Foods has one of the largest prepared foods section of any Whole Foods I've ever been to and I must admit that I find myself eating lunch and dinner there a few times a week. The Whole Foods Market is the largest in the state and spans two stories. With various bars and restaurants within the market, it's become a gathering place for residents and locals alike in the community.
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Inspired Residences
From urban townhomes to beautiful condominiums to expansive penthouses, there's something for everyone in Ward Village. We promise that regardless of where you are in the neighborhood you will be inspired by not just the meticulously landscaped sidewalks or music playing in small speakers hidden behind plants, but by the amazing architecture of the surrounding towers. Architects like Bowlin Cywinski Jackson that designed the iconic 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York City, who designed Ae'o. James Cheng, the world-renowned architect who has been transforming the Vancouver skyline throughout the years is the mastermind behind Waiea. We can't forget Solomon Cordwell Buenz who designed Anaha or Studio Gang with Ko'ula, these amazing architects are changing Honolulu's skyline for the better.
Block D & E (actual name TBD, #13 & #14)
Howard Hughes' last two towers were just announced in late June of 2023. Names for these two last towers have not been released but what we do know is that they're located on Block D & Block E in Ward Village which is the last two remaining first-row oceanfront parcels in the neighborhood. The architect for the two projects is Robert A M Stern Architects (RAMSA) out of New York City who has designed some of the Big Apple's most iconic residential towers. These two towers will be some of the most exclusive in the neighborhood with just 390 total residences split between the two towers.
Completion Date: TBD Construction Status: Planning Phase Prices: $1,500,000 - $25,000,000+ Percent Sold: 0%
Availability: 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom | 5 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Mahana Ward Village (#12)
Mahana Ward Village is Howard Hughes' 12th planned condo tower that was announced in June of 2023. This project will be located in the 3rd row at the north end of Victoria Ward Park. There will be a total of 340 units in the tower spread out over 34 floors.
Completion Date: TBD Construction Status: Planning Phase Prices: $600,000 - $2,000,000+ Percent Sold: 0% Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
The Launiu (#11)
The Launiu will start sales at the end of 2023. This project is one to watch because of its prime location on the 1st row. The last two first-row projects that launched in Ward Village, Victoria Place, and Kalae, sold through very quickly. Victoria Place is scheduled to be completed at the end of next year and it's completely sold out. Kalae still has some units available with the completion date scheduled for late 2026. The Launiu will have beautiful unobstructed ocean and Diamond Head views from select floor plans. After Launiu, there will be only 2 more first-row projects remaining.
Completion Date: TBD Construction Status: Planning Phase Prices: $600,000 - $3,000,000+ Percent Sold: 0% Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Kalae (#10)
Kalae is Howard Hughes' most recently launched project, located on the first row adjacent to Victoria Ward Park. What I like about this project is that the distance between Victoria Place and Kalae is roughly 600 feet providing open space that hasn't been seen before in Ward Village between two towers. If you're on the East side of Kalae or the west of Victoria Place, you'll have very wide open views.
Completion Date: 2026 Construction Status: Starting Construction Soon Prices: $1,200,000 - $8,000,000+ Percent Sold: 80% Availability: 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
The Park Ward Village (#9)
The Park Ward Village is located on the 2nd row across the park from Koula. Upon completion, the ground floor of The Park will have commercial spaces with restaurants and shops that naturally overflow into the park similar to what Koula is doing. The park will eventually become a gathering place for the neighborhood and The Park Ward Village will be footsteps from it all.
Completion Date: 2025 Construction Status: Under Construction Prices: $800,000 - $3,000,000 Percent Sold: 85% Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Victoria Place (#7)
Victoria Place is located on the coveted first row promising unobstructed ocean and harbor views for life. Like its neighbor Waiea, Victoria Place will deliver a very high level of luxury with all the amenities one could ever ask for.
Completion Date: Late 2024 Construction Status: Under Construction Prices: $1,350,000 - $8,000,000 Percent Sold: 100% Availability: 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Anaha (#2)
Anaha is a luxury condo located in the "second row" and is the second completed tower in Ward Village. The amenities and level of service found at Anaha are considered top-of-the-line when it comes to luxury condo living in Honolulu. You'll find a glass bottom pool looking over Auahi Street something never before found in Hawaii along with many many more amenities throughout the building. Anaha is Howard Hughes' second completed tower in Ward Village one by far my favorite condo in Honolulu.
Completion Date: 2017 Construction Status: Completed Prices: $2,000,000 - $18,000,000 Percent Sold: 100% (resales available) Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Waiea (#1)
Waiea is Howard Hughes' first completed tower in Ward Village. With architect James Cheng at the helm, this building is one of the most recognizable in the Honolulu skyline. Waiea is an ultra-luxury project with large floor plans, high ceilings, and a very low unit count. Don't want to see your neighbors or bump into a fellow resident in the elevators? Waiea is the condo for you.
Completion Date: 2016 Construction Status: Completed Prices: $1,800,000 - $36,000,000 Percent Sold: 100% (resales available) Availability: 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
'A'ali'i (#5)
'A'ali'i in a lot of ways is seen as the entry-level condo into Ward Village in terms of price point. Located in the "third row" Aalii's view will be affected by future towers coming up in the first or second row but you still see plenty of ocean through the towers in front. What Aalii has going for it is a relatively low price point (for Ward Village) and a ton of amenities. If you're not big on views but want to be at the heart of all the action, Aalii is the place for you.
Completion Date: 2021 Construction Status: Completed Unit Count: 751 Percent Sold: 98% (Developer inventory & resales available) Prices: $500,000 - $1,800,000 Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom Affordable Housing: Yes (none currently available)
Koula (#6)
Ko'ula is Howard Hughes' latest condo project which started sales in 2018. The architect for Koula, Jeanne Gang, was recently named as one of TIME Magazine's most influential people and Yabu Pushelberg, the designer duo are world-renowned for its work with Four Season Hotels & Resorts. Koula will be adjacent to the new Victoria Ward Park, adding a great mix of commercial space located on the ground floor. Koula is located in the second row and will be a beautiful luxury building.
Completion Date: 2022 Construction Status: Completed Prices: $800,000 - $2,600,000 Percent Sold: 98% Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
Ae'o (#3)
Ae'o is located directly above Whole Foods Market and has private direct access to the grocery store without going outside. The amenities in this building are excellent, with two pools, a large fitness center, outdoor fitness, a movie theater, and so much more. East-facing views are great, for a second-row tower, with west-facing views partially blocked by Aalii.
Completion Date: 2018/2019 Construction Status: Complete Prices: $600,000 to $2,200,000 Percent Sold: 100% (resales available) Availability: Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom Affordable Housing: None
When will construction in Ward Village be completed?
With the recent announcement of Ward Village's last two towers, the end of construction is nearly in sight for the neighborhood that started construction back in 2014. A typical condo project has a 4 - 5 year journey from announcement to completion which puts Blocks D & E, the last two towers, having residents move in sometime around 2028. Will this be the year that construction detours and cranes disappear from Ward Village? That's my best guess, but we'll have to wait and see until these last two towers actually start construction before we have a tentative completion date in sight.
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My name is Holden Lau, and I'm an award-winning real estate agent in Honolulu. I specialized in the Kakaako Ward Village neighborhood and was honored as the top-selling agent in Ward in 2016 (last year, awards were a thing). I've sold units in every single project in Ward Village to date, along with many other new condo projects across Honolulu. If you're looking for someone that understands the latest condo project landscape, please give me a call or email me.
My goal is to introduce you to everything on the market and in your price range so that you can make the most informed decision possible.
