Los Angeles based experiential design firm Thinkwell Group together with economic and research firm ECA are working on the leisureelements of Haseko Development, Inc.'sambitious new$300 millionintegrated entertainment complex inHawaii.
The Haseko group has been developing resort, residential and commercial properties in Hawaii for over forty years. Whilst the bulk of its experience is in Hawaii it also has extensive expertise developing properties across Asia and the US.
Haseko's initialplans are for a waterside retail, dining and entertainment center at its Hoakalei development on Hawaii's Oahu Island.
The $300 million complex will be sited within the Wai Kai portion of the resort andis set to "redefine the shopping center experience".
Haseko is planning to have in the region of215,000 sqft of retail spacewithover110 shops.There will also betwo dozen dining optionstogether withentertainment venues. All of these will overlookthe resort's 52-acre lagoon.
Haseko gives Hawaii its first experiential marketplace
A highlight of Wai Kai at Hoakalei will be the state'sfirst"experiential marketplace". Furthermore, asan anchor to the retaildevelopment, the resort will featurea 15,000-square-foot health club and spa and a10,000 sqft specialty market. In addition there wil be seven major restaurants.Entertainment, leisure and recreational options are in the early planning stages with Thinkwell and ECA.
A truly exciting conceptUnlike a standard mall, Wai Kai's current plan isfor10 iconic buildings designed in a "carefully crafted heritage style". There will be a "town center" and 26 individual "retail clusters". The resort will provideall the amenities of a major mall.However, it will also feature water gardens, carefully cultivated lawns and a boardwalk conected to a trail around the lagoon.
Tom Sagawaispresident of Haseko Development, Inc. He said,"The culmination of our retail plan will create an exciting new marketplace with brand showcases, live experiences, and culinary theaters in a majestic place at the water's edge."
Rick Hillispresident of J. Richard Hill & Co. He said, "This is a truly exciting concept.It is one that is being developed at a level and scope never before found in traditional shopping centers."
Architect and designfirm Hart Howertonis in San Francisco and New York. They developed the overall master plan, landscape architecture, and architectural design vision for the development. Seattle-based design consultancy CallisonRTKL is the architect.
