On the Hawaiian island of Oahu, near the state capital of Honolulu, stands a new 40-story tower called Anaha. The wavelike condominium, whose name translates to “reflection of light,” was designed by Chicago-based firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) and inspired by the island’s ocean environment. The building’s softly curved floor plates and high-performance–glass curtain walls appear to change shape in the sunlight.
As part of the first phase of the 60-acre Ward Village Master Plan, project developer Howard Hughes Corp. envisioned Anaha to help transform the previously industrial and retail-focused district into a mixed-use community that celebrates the culture of Hawaii. Even the orientation of the tower was placed mauka-makai, or mountain to ocean, in order to provide coastal views for the residential units, including some of the inland-facing ones.
The 857,000-square-foot, 311-unit tower took roughly two and a half years to complete and had its grand opening in September 2017 with 303 of the units sold.
Aimed to appeal to a wide range of buyers, the building has studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options, along with low-rise flats and townhomes. The units range from 450 square feet to 6,730 square feet and from $470,000 to $14 million.
To align with the island’s tradition of conservation, Anaha is on target to achieve LEED Silver certification and is part of the LEED for Neighborhood Development Platinum-certified Ward Village. The building materials were locally sourced, contain recycled content, and were selected to reduce or eliminate volatile organic compounds. Efficient appliances and plumbing fixtures, along with indigenous vegetation, reduce energy and water consumption.
The architects did run into one unusual constraint: Due to the condo’s coastal location, the FEMA flood map required the building to be elevated 8 feet from sea level to protect it in case of a tsunami. This resulted in a 5-foot elevation change and the shaping of the structure to include a series of sloped sidewalks flanked by water features and tropical plants.
Anaha offers an extensive amenity program. The seventh floor of the building has a large deck with cabanas and an ocean-view, glass-bottom pool that cantilevers 80 feet over the sidewalk below. Additional amenities on this floor include a tennis court, a sand volleyball court, grilling stations, a putting green, and a dog park.
Inside, residents are welcomed with a lush living wall that passes through the lobby façade and connects the exterior with the interior. The building was also fitted with indoor amenities, including a fitness center, wellness area with sauna and massage rooms, library, theater, lounge with bar, demonstration kitchen, catering kitchen, and private dining with an ocean view.
