Ward Village® Breaks Ground on The Launiu Ward Village®
Construction commences on the neighborhood’s eleventh residence, delivering 486 homes, expanded retail, and new public spaces
HONOLULU (October 22, 2025) – Ward Village®, the award-winning 60-acre master planned community in the heart of Honolulu, broke ground today on its eleventh residence, The Launiu Ward Village®, set to contribute 486 homes, expanded retail offerings, and 21,000 square feet of open and green public spaces to the neighborhood. The anticipated new tower will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes offering unobstructed ocean, Diamond Head, and mountain views, alongside ground-floor retail and restaurant space that will further enhance the neighborhood’s vibrancy and economic vitality.
“The Launiu at Ward Village marks a significant milestone in the continued evolution of our master planned community,” said Doug Johnstone, President of the Hawaiʻi Region & National Condominium Development for Howard Hughes Communities. “This groundbreaking reflects the momentum of our vision and our commitment to delivering design-forward, quality homes that integrate the character and lifestyle of Hawai‘i.”
Pre-sales for The Launiu Ward Village have been strong since the start, with 324 units—67% of the residences—under contract as of June 30. The Launiu Ward Village is projected to contribute $691 million in economic impact, $233 million in workers’ earnings, and $42 million in state tax revenue. Construction is expected to sustain an average of 565 jobs annually, with the building estimated to generate $123 million in real property tax revenue over 30 years.
Situated at the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue, The Launiu Ward Village marks the makai entry to the neighborhood. Designed by Arquitectonica, with interiors by ODADA and landscaping by VITA, Inc., the residence draws inspiration from the historic coconut groves of the Ward family estate. Its slender, mid-century coastal profile is oriented toward Diamond Head and Honolulu’s coastline, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliet balconies, and open layouts that capture expansive views and abundant natural light.
At street level, The Launiu Ward Village will feature retail, dining, and gathering spaces, complete with landscaped sidewalks, pedestrian, and bicycle paths that connect to Ka La‘i o Kukuluāe‘o Park and the adjacent Ulana Ward Village®, furthering Ward Village’s connected, walkable, and bikeable neighborhood. Shade from new trees, native plants, sculptural benches, and space for movable kiosks enhance the area for comfort and livability.
As with every significant development milestone in the neighborhood, Ward Village team members honored today’s achievement with a charitable gift to the community in partnership with their construction partner, Swinerton, by donating a combined total of $40,000 to two local nonprofit organizations: Laukahi Network and Downtown Arts Center.
“Ward Village is a refreshing leader in sustainability and stewardship. This gift will help the unique biodiversity of Oʻahu to endure and thrive for our keiki and for future generations,” said Kim Shay, Network Coordinator of Laukahi: The Hawaiʻi Plant Conservation Network, a voluntary alliance of agencies, organizations, and individuals dedicated to protecting Hawai‘i’s rare plant species through coordinated conservation and the implementation of the Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation.
Downtown Art Center is a vibrant community center for the arts and culture – providing exhibitions, educational experiences, and cultural activities for all ages.
“As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, Ward Village and Swinerton’s generous support have a meaningful impact on our capital campaign to improve our galleries and our classroom spaces. We will be able to engage and serve more people through our expanded arts and cultural programming,” said Sandra Pohl, Executive Director of Downtown Art Center.
About Ward Village®
Ward Village is a Howard Hughes community in the heart of Honolulu, located between downtown and Waikīkī. Honoring the distinct history of its land, the 60-acre master planned neighborhood is at the forefront of sustainable, mixed-use development—integrating striking architecture, culture and arts, and public open space. At full buildout, Ward Village will include thousands of homes and approximately one million square feet of unique retail in what Architectural Digest named “Best Planned Community in the United States.” As a result of strong demand for new housing in urban Honolulu, Ward Village quickly sold out its first seven mixed-use residential towers—Waiea®, Anaha®, Ae‘o, Ke Kilohana®, ʻAʻaliʻi®, Kō‘ula®, and Victoria Place®—transforming the popular shopping and dining district on O‘ahu into a thriving walkable neighborhood that offers ocean views and open space, including its newest outdoor gathering place, Victoria Ward Park. New residential buildings in development or under construction include Ulana Ward Village®, The Park Ward Village®, Kalae, The Launiu Ward Village®, ‘Ilima Ward Village, and Melia Ward Village. Ward Village, a LEED-ND Platinum-certified master planned community, demonstrates its commitment to responsible development by investing in public benefits and amenities for Honolulu’s urban community. For more information, visit WardVillage.com.
About Howard Hughes Communities™
Howard Hughes Communities, the real estate platform of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH), develops, owns, and operates the nation’s premier large-scale master planned communities and mixed-use developments. The company’s award-winning assets include The Woodlands®, Bridgeland®, and The Woodlands Hills® in Greater Houston; Summerlin® in Las Vegas; Teravalis™ in Greater Phoenix; Ward Village® in Honolulu; and Merriweather District® in Columbia, Maryland. The Howard Hughes Communities portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. For additional information, visit communities.howardhughes.com.
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Bridget Mitchell
