International Market Place update: upscale mall? :-(

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2010/5/28/Waikiki_International_Market_Place_Update_05282010

This looks like the final curtain! Dont forget they work on Hawaiian time so this will be months before something gets started, but the destruction that they call "revitilazation" will never be reversed. Alot of history and people have passed through the IMP and the fact that they want to bull doze it to create more of what already exists on Kalakaua dosent make sense. Ala Moana the largest open-air shopping mall in the world is just down the street with 290+ stores and resteraunts. Doesnt historical preservation stand for anything in Hawaii? They have been pushing for casinos in Hawaii for a long time too and it seems that the almighty dollar in the end is what has the last laugh. The toilet has flushed!

lame.

When will developers realize that the "Upscale mall" concept is a thing of the past? How many more of that ilk can one city support? How about a "personable, local-flavor food and goods market place environment with communal areas for resting and shooting the breeze"?

In the article it says that many people want to see the property developed - I bet those people are a small handfull of big business owners. The IMP is one of the most endearing memories I have of Waikiki and I know I definately would not go to Waikiki again should they build this monstrosity of supposed progress. Perhaps the TC community could start a preservation action to try to discourage yet ANOTHER mall - ugh - I don't even go the ones around my home...why would I fly to Hawaii to go to one?!? Yet I WOULD fly to Hawaii to stroll down memory lane and perhaps purchase from any local merchants vending in the IMP. I must admit I haven't been there since I was 16 and don't know what kinds of changes have occurred since then, but a mall is definately NOT a better choice. Who knows how to get a petition going?

I took a stroll through the IMP last week and found it to be a sad vestige, though the food court shows are still nice. I don’t think you can save something already gone.
If the IMP property does in fact partially fund the stunning Queens Medical Center, I can see why they might want high rent tenants.

Could be worse... They could have decided to put in a Walgreens. But, still... Save the IMP!

According to the old guard local Polynesiacs, the International Marketplace already started going downhill when they put the second level on it. Initially it was just what it was envisioned as by Don The Beachcomber: A market place with small vendors huts and stores surrounding his big hut of a restaurant, very quaint. But each generation idealizes THEIR memories of it, it will be difficult to pinpoint WHEN it turned too cheesy to be cool. But that is no reason to not try to evoke some of its original charm in a new, human-scale project.

On 2010-06-02 18:19, thefuzz wrote:
Could be worse... They could have decided to put in a Walgreens. But, still... Save the IMP!

More likely, an ABC store

On 2010-06-02 20:03, MadDogMike wrote:

On 2010-06-02 18:19, thefuzz wrote:
Could be worse... They could have decided to put in a Walgreens. But, still... Save the IMP!

More likely, an ABC store

No shit! They're like the Hawaiian Starbucks - one on every corner! LOL

ABC=All Blocks Covered

This is fucked !
Like Mongoloid said...Ala Moana has ALL the "upscale" shopping one city could ever need. Not to mention all the Guess, Louis Vuitton, Coach, and all the other "upscale" shopping that is literally walking distance to the IMP.

A MALL ??? Seriously, MALLS are a thing of the past. People don't like MALLS anymore...because they are ALL the same.

I DONT VISIT WAIKIKI TO GO TO A MALL.

ANd, despite, the fact that most of the little stands in the IMP are selling Chinese made tschochkies, I can't find a giant puka shell necklace here in California for $25, like I did there a month ago. OR, see a hula show, or giant banyan tree like the one there.

So, what, it will look like the Beverly Center now?

What a bummer.

On 2010-06-03 18:31, tikiyaki wrote:
So, what, it will look like the Beverly Center now?

Jim, it's obvious you don't go to malls anymore. They don't look like the Beverly Center anymore these days...

...they are cleverly disguised in "The Prisoner"-style cutesiness, like The Americana:

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2010-06-03 21:25 ]

I realize that malls are attempting to become more like "villages" or whatever (our local mall recently underwent a bit of a renovation including the requisite Claimjumper, Jhamba Juice, Macaroni's, PF Changs and multiplex theater) but a mall is still a mall - repetative teen clothing and shoes, known department stores, STINKY Yankee Candle, and annoying cluttering kiosks in the middle of it all! Not to mention it's a mecca for teenyboppers who take over every available place to sit and relax for a few minutes, yakking it up WAAAAY too loud on their cell phones or with their friends so EVERYone can hear their banal conversations, and generally being annoying! If I want that I'll have my daugher invite her friends over!

I would much prefer to shop in a more adult setting (no, I don't mean porn stores!) - just somewhere where I don't have dodge a pack of rabid teens! Again, though, I don't know what the IMP has turned into in the many years since I last visited - but I hope it's too "uncool" for the average teen! NO MORE MALLS!

Ha Ha, let's admit it, we are just a bunch of old-timey curmudgeons, hollering on about the evils of progress. You can never do it right for us. :)

I can't fault someone for trying to maximize their revenue, especially when it's a non-profit business that funds Hawaii's major hospital and health care provider. My friend's brother-in-law in Hawaii has to fly to San Francisco for specialized cancer treatment that isn't available on the islands. Clearly Emma Land Co. is going to be able to command higher leases from upscale retailers vs. Poly-Pop chotski vendors. Is that greed or just smart business? I would argue the latter. There is no profit in being the source of one's nostalgic memories (unless you can charge admission for that :)).

Does "mall" always mean raze what's there and rebuild from scratch? Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade was able to go upscale in the late 1980's while still retaining it's outdoor pedestrian ambiance. Perhaps IMP can do the same while still keeping its mid-century character not to mention the iconic Banyon tree.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-06-04 13:28 ]

My wife and I were there a couple years ago on our honeymoon.

We didn't enjoy it all that much. It was a bunch of kiosks selling the same junk, mostly cheap jewelry. None of it looked local at all.

On 2010-06-04 15:03, raito wrote:
My wife and I were there a couple years ago on our honeymoon.

We didn't enjoy it all that much. It was a bunch of kiosks selling the same junk, mostly cheap jewelry. None of it looked local at all.

Which is why other than its historical importance I’m not shedding too many tears for this place. If someone were to removed the vintage street signage and the tumbledown vender carts the remaining shops would be more at home in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza down the street. Trader Vics has long left the building.

On 2010-06-04 09:52, bigbrotiki wrote:
Ha Ha, let's admit it, we are just a bunch of old-timey curmudgeons, hollering on about the evils of progress. You can never do it right for us. :)

Oy! I've reached curmudeon status?! Where's my cane so I can whack youngsters in the shins!

On 2010-06-04 16:33, naugatiki wrote:

On 2010-06-04 15:03, raito wrote:
My wife and I were there a couple years ago on our honeymoon.

We didn't enjoy it all that much. It was a bunch of kiosks selling the same junk, mostly cheap jewelry. None of it looked local at all.

Which is why other than its historical importance I’m not shedding too many tears for this place. If someone were to removed the vintage street signage and the tumbledown vender carts the remaining shops would be more at home in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza down the street. Trader Vics has long left the building.

The IMP captures nature; it offers at least the semblance of crafted items; it offers items that can't be bought in malls in LA, unlike the Moana Center, there are free hula shows; there are typical Hawaiian food places, like Puka Dog.

It should not be mentioned in the same breath as a conventional mall.

BTW, how many more designer stores can Waikiki handle?

On 2010-06-03 21:24, bigbrotiki wrote:

On 2010-06-03 18:31, tikiyaki wrote:
So, what, it will look like the Beverly Center now?

Jim, it's obvious you don't go to malls anymore. They don't look like the Beverly Center anymore these days...

...they are cleverly disguised in "The Prisoner"-style cutesiness, like The Americana:

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2010-06-03 21:25 ]

I try not to, but I equally loathe the "Theme Park Shopping Malls" of today.

"Look mom, A Trolley....YAY !!!"

Not.

Some might say that there are already not one, not two, but three Beverly Center-type malls already in existence in Waikiki:

Ala Moana:

DFS Galleria:

Royal Hawaiian Center:

With 3 malls already, does Waikiki need a 4th??
Waikiki is only about 3 miles long - the distance from the Ala Moana mall to the Waikiki Shell.

On 2010-06-09 06:02, christiki295 wrote:
Some might say that there are already not one, not two, but three Beverly Center-type malls already in existence in Waikiki: Ala Moana, DFS Galleria, Royal Hawaiian.

You forgot Waikiki Beachwalk!
Aloha,
:tiki:

[ Edited by: Tiki Royale 2010-06-09 10:45 ]

No, not a mall like that, it doesn't. But the fact remains that it was a long time ago that the IMP looked like this:

WE here might still be able to see that in it in its current state, but the average tourist wont.

The new developer was quoted as saying

"We are honored to have been selected by Queen Emma Land Company to explore redevelopment of the International Market Place, a retail shopping destination with a long history in Hawaii," said Stephen J. Kieras, senior vice president of development for Taubman. "This popular area will be revitalized with destination retail and dining for tourists and residents alike, and will complement the surrounding area to reflect the local Hawaiian sense of place."

I can only be optimistic after that statement that they acknowlege that there is histoy to the place and that it will continue to have a local flavor.

[ Edited by: Mongoloid 2010-06-09 14:46 ]

Wow Sven, I don't know how the shirt looks but the label is beautiful!

The Royal Hawaiian Center at least has a bit of the "island" look to it. The other's just look like every other maintstream mall in the US. Yawn.

On 2010-06-09 13:22, Mongoloid wrote:
The new developer was quoted as saying

"We are honored to have been selected by Queen Emma Land Company to explore redevelopment of the International Market Place, a retail shopping destination with a long history in Hawaii," said Stephen J. Kieras, senior vice president of development for Taubman. "This popular area will be revitalized with destination retail and dining for tourists and residents alike, and will complement the surrounding area to reflect the local Hawaiian sense of place."

I can only be optimistic after that statement that they acknowlege that there is histoy to the place and that it will continue to have a local flavor.

Oh, pleeeaaaase. The developer is interested in leasing space to tenants for top dollar.
That probably excludes any locally owned Hawaiian business, and only allows for large corporations
who will operate the business just like if it is at the Beverly Center. For example, on Waikiki Beachwalk, possibly the biggest tenant is the Yard House, which is many So Cal mall areas. Or is it Ruth Chris' Steak House?

They will have a free hula show to attract the tourists for the local flavor, but then the International Market Place already has free hula - and local ono grinz.

On 2010-06-09 21:51, christiki295 wrote:

On 2010-06-09 13:22, Mongoloid wrote:
The new developer was quoted as saying

"We are honored to have been selected by Queen Emma Land Company to explore redevelopment of the International Market Place, a retail shopping destination with a long history in Hawaii," said Stephen J. Kieras, senior vice president of development for Taubman. "This popular area will be revitalized with destination retail and dining for tourists and residents alike, and will complement the surrounding area to reflect the local Hawaiian sense of place."

I can only be optimistic after that statement that they acknowlege that there is histoy to the place and that it will continue to have a local flavor.

Oh, pleeeaaaase. The developer is interested in leasing space to tenants for top dollar.
That probably excludes any locally owned Hawaiian business, and only allows for large corporations
who will operate the business just like if it is at the Beverly Center. For example, on Waikiki Beachwalk, possibly the biggest tenant is the Yard House, which is many So Cal mall areas. Or is it Ruth Chris' Steak House?

They will have a free hula show to attract the tourists for the local flavor, but then the International Market Place already has free hula - and local ono grinz.

You could be right but like i said im being optimistic and i know Disney is treading lightly with their new Resort Aulani in Ko Olina. The design of the resort honors Hawaiian tradition in its village concept and they are being respectful to the culture. They collaborated with members of the local community to create Hawaiian story telling throughout the resort. They could have easily gone in and just slapped pictures of Mickey with a lei on and called it a day. So hopefully they will leave the Beverly Center mentality on the mainland and evolve into something more closely connected to the aina.

Amen to that Mongoloid. But with real estate that expensive, I'm not confident. I like it the way it is, and people say they just have a bunch of "made in China" crap, but it's still stuff that you can't get here.

I fear the worst, and expect to see all the great rustic, classic Hawaiian elements(The waterfall, the decaying Asian style bamboo bridges and of course, the old tikis) to be ripped out.

progress is a bitch.

The Queen Emma Foundation is not fooling around. The Foundation brought in the big guns to maximize profits:

Taubman Centers is a real estate investment trust engaged in the development, leasing and management of regional and super regional shopping centers. Taubman’s 26 U.S. owned, leased and/or managed properties are the most productive in the industry and serve major markets from coast to coast. Taubman Centers is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and its Taubman Asia subsidiary is headquartered in Hong Kong. Founded in 1950, Taubman celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010. For more information about Taubman, visit http://www.taubman.com.

CoastWood Capital Group, LLC is a specialized real estate investment firm based in San Francisco with interests in several retail projects in Hawaii. Founded in 2003, the company acquires, manages and develops real estate with an emphasis on retail and other property types with unique operational characteristics.

Looks like the idiotic developers are at it again..yet ANOTHER plan to "update" the one of the last areas in Waikiki where you actually FEEL as if you were on a tropical jungle island......
http://www.kitv.com/video/29691300/detail.html

Aloha,

Yeah, I read the news this morning. It seems like they are serious this time. :(

I chose a different shot of this Edward M. Brownlee original to use in Waikiki Tiki. I love how the banyan tree roots have grown around the carving. I hope it stays put for a very long time.

Just not looking forward to this!

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
Available now from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2011-11-05 20:18 ]

Just not looking forward to this!
At least they kept the name...
We already have a complex in Waikiki like the artist's rendering, it's called NikeTown, and the whole block of buildings sits empty now that Nike has moved out. Good thing they got rid of the '30s crusty old classic and useful Kuhio Theater, for an empty one-time big name building, eh?
IMP has long been cooked, it's former glory hardly even remembered amongst the shlock. Seeing it go will almost be a pleasure, the same with 99% of ruined Waikiki.

I can't really express my frustration over this thing. The plan they had before the economy tanked was quite ok...keeping it small shops & kiosks, but raising the ground level, running a "little river" through it, redoing an upper boardwalk with shops & a wedding area, plus redoing but KEEPING a food court. THAT was acceptable.
But THIS plan looks like any other mall here, and I highly doubt the banyan tree will make it to the final project, no matter what they say. We have empty retail spaces in Waikiki...another block just upscaled with a Victoria Secret & Sephora but it's half empty as well. I mean, when has business EVER been so bad at IMP that stalls were shutting down? It's a rarity. Don't they get it?? I mean, it is quite literally the LAST piece of Waikiki that has any jungle sensability to it. It's not like Prada and Gucci sell souvenirs, after all...:) And I happen to utilize IMP ALOT as it's one of the few cheap places to eat still around that isn't a McDonalds or Burger King. It just really makes me sick.

We hope to check it out in late December....

Aloha,

On 2011-11-08 23:40, mrsmiley wrote:
We hope to check it out in late December....

Bruce, I'd be happy to show you everything that I know at the International Market Place and let you and Inkylouise hear the ACTUAL and VERIFIED VOICE of the original, one and only DONN (THE BEACHCOMBER) BEACH.

best,

Phillip

ewwwww.

That is just plain ugly! Even here on Maui most of the strip malls they have built in he last 20 yrs are all sitting half empty.. I just don't get it but I guess the tourists there trying to attract must have some money ...
In those renderings, are those tikis with the flames in the front?
Aloha

Tradgic.
The lot where my Kona Lanes once stood is still vacant.... In this economy, I can only imagine a similar thing happening to the IMP, once it's been knocked down...

On 2010-06-11 17:54, christiki295 wrote:
The Queen Emma Foundation is not fooling around. The Foundation brought in the big guns to maximize profits:

Taubman Centers is a real estate investment trust engaged in the development, leasing and management of regional and super regional shopping centers. Taubman’s 26 U.S. owned, leased and/or managed properties are the most productive in the industry and serve major markets from coast to coast. Taubman Centers is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and its Taubman Asia subsidiary is headquartered in Hong Kong. Founded in 1950, Taubman celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010. For more information about Taubman, visit http://www.taubman.com.

CoastWood Capital Group, LLC is a specialized real estate investment firm based in San Francisco with interests in several retail projects in Hawaii. Founded in 2003, the company acquires, manages and develops real estate with an emphasis on retail and other property types with unique operational characteristics.

That is the best they could do?
Haven't they learned from Rick Caruso in LA that the new style is to have an outdoor Main Street vibe?
Even Vegas has jumped on the bandwagon:

"One of the world’s biggest casino operators has hired Los Angeles shopping center magnate Rick Caruso to manage development of a $550 million retail and entertainment district in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip that will be crowned by an enormous Ferris wheel. Caruso, who is weighing a run for mayor of Los Angeles, was tapped by Caesars Entertainment Corp. to oversee creation of the Linq, a new open-air attraction facing Caesars Palace.

The outdoor venue would have more in common with L.A Live or Caruso’s Grove shopping center in Los Angeles than it would with hermetically sealed casinos."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/08/rick-caruso-tapped-for-vegas-real-estate-extravaganza-linq.html

A tip of the hat to Don the Beachcomber in this article. Banyan trees staying is a little comforting but still concerned it's going to be gutted of all its charm.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorials/20111114__Strive_to_retain_markets_charm.html?id=133789808

Aloha,

I have been working on a letter to the editor, but my previous drafts have been discarded as too harsh.

On 2011-11-14 20:39, Phillip Roberts wrote:
Aloha,

I have been working on a letter to the editor, but my previous drafts have been discarded as too harsh.

Over the top often gets the ink in today's media.

The new IMP developer is responsible for the Beverly Center in LA, which - literally - is a concrete box from the exterior, whose walls are only good to be used for advertising billboards.

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2010/5/28/Waikiki_International_Market_Place_Update_05282010

Aloha,

No changes thus far, although there has been a general sprucing up of the market...

New paint at the food court, etc...

Sprucing up is good.

Wrecking....not so much.

Good News, thanx Phil.

Maybe for the holidays.
I wonder if the developers have any anchor tenants already signed, or
if not, if there remains time for the funding to fall through.