Ward Village, Honolulu’s award-winning master-planned community, is wrapping up its incredible vision with the introduction of its final two towers: ‘Ilima and Melia. These two highly anticipated condominium projects bring a new tier of luxury to the Ala Moana Boulevard front row, offering distinct lifestyles right in the heart of dynamic Kaka‘ako. Developing these projects is Howard Hughes Corporation, which, as noted in our March 2026 Ward Village update, has already successfully delivered several landmarks within the 60-acre community.

Building on the success of prior phases, Ward Village continues to offer its “live, work, play” lifestyle, bringing together beautiful homes, great dining, green spaces, and community events. ‘Ilima and Melia take this vision to the finish line. Designed as a cohesive pair by the internationally renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) alongside local firm AHL, they replace the former Ward Centre and are anchored by the expansive public green space of Ka Lei Park and iconic IBM Building.

While both projects share the Ward Village pedigree, they have very unique identities. ‘Ilima brings a first-of-its-kind, ultra-luxury private club lifestyle to Oahu through a partnership with Discovery Land Company. Melia, drawing inspiration from the welcoming plumeria, offers a refined but highly active and social coastal atmosphere. Let’s dive into the confirmed details, design plans, and incredible amenities that define these final additions to the Ward Village portfolio.

‘Ilima: Unrivaled Estate-Style Luxury

Named after the beautiful native yellow hibiscus that serves as the official flower of Oahu, ‘Ilima represents the absolute peak of sophisticated coastal living. This project introduces Discovery Land Company’s signature bespoke concierge services and private club lifestyle to an urban high-rise setting for the first time on the island.

Development Details

‘Ilima sits on a prime parcel of land, utilizing an L-shaped massing to strictly maximize unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. The 33-story tower features a highly exclusive collection of just 148 estate-style residences. Catering to those seeking expansive living spaces, there are no one-bedroom units; floor plans range from generously sized two-bedrooms up to six-bedrooms and sprawling penthouses.

Design Philosophy: Historic Inspiration and Flow

The core design philosophy behind ‘Ilima centers on an authentic interpretation of Honolulu’s historic architectural heritage. RAMSA utilizes classical elements perfectly tailored for our island environment.

Architecture: The facade integrates punched windows, covered walkways, and colonnades to create a sense of timeless elegance. The design maximizes the beautiful Hawaiian sunlight while offering deep, shaded lanais.

Interiors: Interiors, handled by Champalimaud Design, focus on a seamless flow between indoor living spaces and the sweeping ocean vistas outside. Standard residences feature 10’6” ceilings in the main living areas, while penthouses elevate the space with airy 11’ ceilings.

Landscaping: The towers are connected by a native botanical garden pathway designed by VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture, creating a serene, lush sanctuary that connects the building directly to the land (ʻāina).

‘Ilima Tower Specifications

Feature	Details
Number of Units	148
Stories	33
Unit Types	2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-Bedrooms & Penthouses (est.)
Architect	Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) & AHL
Amenities	Over 80,000 sq. ft. of exclusive Mohala Club space
Location	Ala Moana Blvd (Former Ward Centre Site)
Status	Pre-Construction

Planned Amenities and Features: The Mohala Club

‘Ilima’s amenity package is defined by exclusive access to the Mohala Club, managed by Discovery Land Company. With over 80,000 square feet of recreational space spread across Levels 1, 5, and 6, residents enjoy a true resort experience at home.

Level 5 (Resort & Wellness): This level features a sprawling resort pool and spa, a separate fitness pool, a pool bar, a state-of-the-art fitness hale, and a comprehensive spa grotto with treatment rooms and a courtyard. For families, there is a dedicated Keiki club, Keiki pool, and playground.

Level 6 (Dining & Entertainment): The upper club level offers formal fine dining, a private dining room for events, a golf simulator, the Diamond Head Lounge, and carefully curated garden spaces.

Services & Convenience: Discovery Land Company’s signature Outdoor Pursuits program provides residents with curated local adventures, while the dedicated concierge team manages personalized wellness, culinary, and lifestyle requests.

Melia: Sophisticated Coastal Elegance

Taking its name from the plumeria flower—a classic symbol of Hawaiian hospitality—Melia serves as ‘Ilima’s beautiful companion tower. It brings a refined, highly amenitized lifestyle to the Honolulu coastline, perfectly balancing private luxury with dynamic community integration.

Development Details

Melia is a 400-foot, 35-story tower comprising 221 luxury residences. Designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers who love the energy of Kakaʻako, the building offers a diverse mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom floor plans. Most units include Juliet balconies to let the island breezes in, while upper-level residences feature large private terraces. The five-story podium includes 452 secure parking stalls, 60 bicycle stalls, and approximately 8,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space to keep the streetscape active and engaging.

Design Philosophy: Enduring and Distinctive

Melia shares RAMSA’s classical design language but establishes its own distinct, vibrant identity.

Architecture: The tower’s articulated facades and stepped massing draw inspiration from historic local architects like Bertram Goodhue and Julia Morgan. The exterior utilizes materials that replicate natural stone masonry, beautifully catching the Hawaiian sunlight, accented by bronze metalwork at the street level.

Interiors: The interior design at Melia is fresh and contemporary, offering spacious open-concept living that emphasizes efficiency and flexibility. Just like its sister tower, it utilizes an L-shaped footprint to optimize sightlines toward the ocean and Diamond Head.

Focus on Social Spaces: A key component of Melia’s design is the creation of abundant, flexible social spaces. Common areas act as a natural extension of your living room, designed to encourage interaction and a strong sense of community.

Melia Tower Specifications

Feature	Details
Number of Units	221
Stories	35
Unit Types	1, 2, 3, and 4-Bedrooms (est.)
Architect	Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) & AHL
Commercial Space	Approx. 8,000 sq. ft.
Location	Ala Moana Blvd (Former Ward Centre Site)
Status	Pre-Construction

Source: Ward Village

Planned Amenities and Features: Fostering Community and Activity

Melia’s private amenities are concentrated on an expansive sixth-floor deck, offering roughly 41,800 square feet of outdoor space and 15,100 square feet of indoor facilities tailored to support an active lifestyle.

Pool & Deck: The outdoor deck is anchored by a lap pool, a family pool, a hot tub, and sundeck lounging areas. Landscaped BBQ cabanas and park-view pavilions provide ample space for outdoor dining and weekend entertaining.

Fitness & Wellness: A fully equipped fitness center is complemented by private spa treatment rooms and dedicated locker facilities, ensuring wellness is always just an elevator ride away.

Coworking & Social Hubs: The indoor areas feature sophisticated resident lounges, highly adaptable multipurpose rooms, and a dedicated co-working space perfect for remote work days.

Guest Accommodations: A major perk for residents who love to host, Melia includes four fully furnished guest suites, allowing you to comfortably accommodate visiting family and friends.

The Culmination of a Vision

As the 13th and 14th towers in the neighborhood, ‘Ilima and Melia signify more than just new buildings; they represent the culmination of Ward Village as Hawaii’s premier destination for sophisticated urban living. Together, they anchor the community’s southeastern gateway, offering unprecedented architecture, robust private amenities, and immediate access to the retail, dining, and natural beauty that define modern Honolulu.

Register Your Interest

Want to be a part of Ward Village’s pinnacle chapter? Whether you’re drawn to the exclusive, estate-style luxury of ‘Ilima or the vibrant, energetic pulse of Melia, our team at Sachi Hawaii is here to guide you. Reach out to us today to register your interest, and let’s find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

(808) 596-8801 | info@sachihawaii.com