At Waiea, one of Honolulu’s most prestigious residential towers, acclaimed Vancouver architect James K.M. Cheng created a complex of 10 private villas that celebrate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that attracts luxury buyers from around the globe. Waiea Villa #1 and #6 provide the privacy of a single-family residence while offering the amenities of a high-energy cosmopolitan development.
“This breathtaking property encompasses two units seamlessly combined to create a single, one-of-a-kind residence offering a completely private experience at one of Honolulu’s most prized addresses,” reports Coldwell Banker listing agent Tracy Allen. Complementing the architectural artistry of Cheng, The Villa’s interiors were elegantly appointed by celebrity designer Tony Ingrao for the ultimate Honolulu lifestyle. The residence features more than 7,500 square feet of interior space paired with over 3,000 square feet of exterior living space on five levels connected by a sculptural floating staircase that winds around a private glass elevator. “This home is truly a work of art, from top to bottom,” suggests Allen. “From the moment you walk through the main entry lanai, with its tropical lush living wall amidst a cascading water feature, you realize you’ve arrived someplace truly exceptional,” asserts Allen. Other exterior amenities at the Villa include a personal 41-foot lap pool and spa, fire feature, two sun decks, and a pair of complete outdoor kitchens.
The Villa has a full-home automation and entertainment system that allows the lights, sound system, automated drapery, security system, and motion cameras to be controlled by the tap of a button or remotely from the owner’s smartphone. The trendy neighborhood offers every imaginable convenience, and dipping one’s toes into the Pacific involves nothing more than crossing the street to Ala Moana Beach Park. All ceilings in the Villa exceed 10 feet in height and many floor-to-ceiling glass walls retract to thoroughly erase any boundary between indoors and out. The fourth-level living/entertaining room is a soaring two-story space wrapped in glass with magnificent views of Diamond Head, while a curvaceous, one-of-a-kind bar hand-carved from locally salvaged monkeypod timber anchors an adjacent room. The showy entertaining kitchen is on the first level—it encompasses a grey onyx island with waterfall edges and a complete suite of luxury Miele kitchen appliances—but a second kitchen on the fourth level conveniently supports daily service to the adjoining dining room.
One of four residential suites, the aptly-named grand master occupies the entire third level, complemented by a home office worthy of any executive suite. The expansive master bath includes floating vanities, Dornbracht fixtures, a spacious rain shower, cutting-edge Toto Neorst toilet, and a modern freestanding tub placed against a dramatic backdrop of book-matched slabs of onyx.
A private fitness facility on the second level eliminates the need for a gym membership, and sleek Cantoni furnishings and lighting contribute to this residence’s status as one of Hawaii’s preeminent showcase properties. The fifth-level entertaining deck features a cabana, outdoor chef’s kitchen, bar, and lounge area with fire feature beneath a retractable pergola.
“Overlooking the tranquil harbor and Pacific Ocean, it’s simply the best spot on the island to watch our mesmerizing sunsets,” comments Allen. Although the pandemic has motivated some luxury buyers to seek lower density neighborhoods, Allen suggests Waiea Villa #1 & #6 is equally attractive to those clients. “This is essentially a single-family “home in the sky,” with its own ground-level entry and private two-car garage that leads you straight into your own home,” says the prominent agent.
By Rogers Grody
This article originally appeared in Homes & Estates magazine.
