How The Master Planned Community Of Ward Village Is Revitalizing Honolulu

What do Singapore and Honolulu have in common? In the eyes of Simon Treacy, president of the Hawaii branch of The Howard Hughes Corporation, quite a bit – especially in the context of Ward Village. Located in the heart of Honolulu between downtown and Waikiki, the 60-acre master planned community is the latest for the company renown for developing them (Bridgeland, Texas, and Columbia, Maryland are also in its portfolio) and is poised to become, in Treacy’s words: “the new center of Oahu.”

As Singapore is one of the most successful examples in the world of urban planning – especially given its physical constraints and dense population – it made good sense to glean its best practices, but adapt them to Ward Village’s unique, oceanfront location. So like all master planned communities, Ward Village features a convenient mix of residences, businesses, and recreational zones. But that’s where the similarities stop.

“Our big, overriding theme here is wellness,” says Treacy. “And the goal is to create environments where people will talk to each other, spend time outdoors, and build a very diverse community.” While wellness obviously encompasses physical and mental health, it also speaks to a person’s overall well-being – which can be directly influenced by where one eats, lives, and even shops. To that end, all the pedestrian-friendly offerings at Ward Village help curate a meaningful and thoughtful experience, whether you’re interacting with a piece of art or purchasing locally-designed clothing. Below, more reasons how Ward Village is leading the wave in revitalizing Hawaii’s capital.

Arts & Culture

Because arts and culture are pivotal in urban communities, with their profound ability to engage and unite, they too play a leading role at Ward Village. In fact, Howard Hughes helped launch and sponsor the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in 2017, which showcased contemporary heavyweights – last year, attendees enjoyed a preview of Yayoi Kusama’s “I’m Here, but Nothing” – alongside up-and-coming talent connected to the Pacific. And at this year’s biennial, which is on view through May 5 and titled “To Make Wrong/Right/Now,” works from 47 Pacific-linked artists have been strategically placed at ten different sites throughout Honolulu. In addition, over 90 programs will be available free to the public during the festival’s run.

Public art also helps reinforce a sense of creative community by being completely accessible to the public and encouraging communication. But what’s most interesting about these ever-visible works throughout Ward Village are the less obvious places you’ll find some of them. For example: while the location of the Joram Roukes mural on the Ward Centre parking garage isn’t so surprising, the stirring installation depicting the goddess Keaomelemele by Solomon Enos in the iconic IBM building – where the Howard Hughes’ offices reside – is. “The biennial and the arts are powerful ways to address wellness,” explains Treacy. “They create spaces for people to escape, daydream, and refresh.”

Retail

As with most master planned communities, you’ll find big, bold-faced retailers like Whole Foods, T.J. Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack. But the real draw here is South Shore Market, which houses 18 beloved, locally-owned businesses selling a smart mix of everyday staples (like clothing and housewares) and thoughtful souvenirs. Bobby Ikeda, the founder of Cameron Hawaii, a women’s clothing brand inspired by the beach, opened his first flagship here in 2016. “Ward Village provides a location close to both Waikiki for tourists, and in the heart of Kakaako area, where many locals live.” says Ikeda. Salvage Public, a hip lifestyle brand inspired by Hawaiian culture (especially surfing) founded by brothers Noah and Joseph Serrao, and Napali Souza, also opened their first outpost here for similar reasons. “There is a sense of community amongst the local vendors which we love,” says Joseph Serrao. “And the location is perfect for us with a mix of local food, shopping, arts, and of course, world class surf breaks right out front at Ala Moana Beach Park.”

Dining

Epicureans will flip for the wide range (over 40) of dining and drinking options at Ward Village, with something for every occasion and appetite. There are local mainstays, like Nobu Honolulu, which sports a sleek decor as with its sister locations, but stands out with original locally-driven creations including bigeye ahi poke and botan shrimp with uni. And for one of the most pristine omakases in town, book a seat at the sushi bar when legendary head sushi chef Yoshio Ono is working. Merriman’s, which is helmed by chef Peter Merriman and rooted in locally-grown produce, meat, and seafood, is another one of those increasingly rare spots that’s well-suited for a more refined meal, but just as solid for a casual drink and snack at the bar.

For a casual bite, it’s eatery Piggy Smalls that should top your list. The second project by celebrated chef Andrew Le, owner of The Pig and the Lady in Chinatown, it specializes in “global cuisine cooked with a lot of Asian influence.” (Among the can’t miss dishes are the pho–strami banh mi, LFC wings, and vegan pho.) Scratch Kitchen and Meatery is another lively, laid-back spot where comfort cooking is king. Open for breakfast through dinner, the open kitchen turns out generous plates of pork adobo loco moco, roaster cauliflower tacos, and chicken and waffles.

Residences

When it comes to living well, it’s tough to beat the residences of Ward Village. For starters, everything has been developed with sustainability in mind – which is paramount in a destination where locals value themselves stewards of the land. (In fact, Ward Village is the country’s largest Platinum LEED certified neighborhood development.) And the design couldn’t be any more chic. (During a tour of a model unit of Koula, an upcoming luxury condo project, I flipped for sleek, subdued interiors envisioned by Yabu Pushelberg.) But impressive aesthetics and green seal of approval aside, what makes living in Ward Village so appealing to locals and out-of-towners alike is the genuine sense of community it’s fostering with its pedestrian walkways, complimentary community events (like yoga classes and New Wave Fridays), and unique sense of pride and peace. “We’re playing respect to Victoria Ward (her family once owned the land Ward Village occupies), her legacy, and how she kept the land together to maintain Hawaiian culture,” says Treacy. “In that sense, Victoria is like our North Star.”

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.