Aloha Tower Marketplace Dorms to Open in August

By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

Hawaii Pacific University’s $50 million revitalization of the Aloha Tower Marketplace in downtown Honolulu is nearing completion.

According to the Pacific Business News, the project’s residential component is set to open on Aug. 24. Called Waterfront Lofts, this portion will be located on the upper floor of the upcoming two-story complex and will comprise 74 dormitory units, enough to accommodate as many as 278 students. On the ground floor, plans call for a mix of facilities, including  classrooms, an admissions office, a housing office, a student center/learning commons, student organization spaces, a library/computer lab, a book store and a fitness center. There will also be various retail, dining and entertainment options.

The new housing units include lofts with single-, double- and triple-occupancy rooms, as well as studios with double occupancy rooms.

HPU will be charging students a housing fee ranging from $11,150 to $14,080 for fall, spring and summer terms, from Aug. 24, 2015, to Aug. 9, 2016. The state’s largest private university is also offering a two-term plan starting from $7,070 to $10,600, as well as a one-term plan ranging from $3,535 to $5,300.

Work on the redevelopment of the 160,000-square-foot center began last summer. The project’s architect is Honolulu-based Group 70 International, while San Francisco-based Swinerton Builders is the general contractor.

At the beginning of last year, 17 tenants at the former marketplace were told to relocate. Only four remained – The Cab, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, the Star of Honolulu and Hooters – while a number of new shops and restaurants are set to open, including a Barnes & Noble bookstore.

“Given the compressed construction schedule, it has been impossible to allow most prospective retail tenants access to the property, or to finalize leases, until renovation is completed on the entire project,” Janet Kloenhamer, HPU’s executive vice president for administration and general counsel, told the newspaper. “That won’t occur until sometime in late summer.”

Photo credit: www.hpu.edu