Victoria Ward
movie complex
planned

The 16-screen facility is
set to open in May 2001

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Consolidated Amusement Co. said today it will develop a 16-screen movie complex in a new Victoria Ward Centers entertainment and retail development in Kakaako.

The landlord, Victoria Ward Ltd., said construction will begin in June and be completed by May 2001. Consolidated said it has leased 85,000 square feet in the new Ward complex to build the movie houses, which will seat a total of 4,000.

The new center will be at the corner of Kamakee and Auahi streets, across Auahi from Ward Warehouse.

Phil Shimmin, president of Consolidated, said the theaters will feature stadium-style seating for comfort and visibility. The seats will have high back and retractable arm rests, he said.

H. Mitchell D'Olier, chief executive officer of Victoria Ward Ltd., said the new complex will have parking and about 20,000 square feet of shops and restaurants on the first level with the theaters on the second level. There will be additional parking next door as well as valet parking at the entertainment complex, D'Olier said.

The project will require approval from the city and the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which is responsible for the redevelopment of Kakaako. Construction Management and Development Inc. has been selected as the construction manager, D'Olier said.

By the end of this year, Consolidated Amusement will be operating 16 theater locations in Hawaii with a total of 105 screens. There are 12 on Oahu with 85 screens, two on Maui with 10 screens, and two on the Big Island with 10 screens.

Consolidated was founded in Honolulu in 1979 and has been owned by California-based Pacific Theatres since 1959.