[ A WALKING TOUR ]
HPU Building was
once Fort Street’s
highest
This imposing building -- once the tallest on Fort Street -- defines the "cornerstone block" where Fort abuts Beretania. A typically rococo Dickey/Ripley construction of rough-hewn lava blocks and rugged framing, it was originally two buildings, both begun at the dawn of the 20th century.
Incorporating what is now called the Hawaii Pacific University Building (poured in 1938) the entire plot is considered a single property.
External appearances are deceiving. In 1981, both buildings were completely gutted and a new interior designed of steel beams and heavy timber. Elevators, a new roof, central air conditioning, sprinkler systems, safety systems, new window designs and an entrance canopy were added. Some references say a fourth floor was added.
It's dubbed Richardsonian by architects, yet one of the hallmarks of Richardsonian designs -- arches gracing the exterior -- are missing. The Model Progress Building is businesslike and efficient-looking. It ain't fancy.
It's for sale, by the way. For about $8 million, it's all yours. It currently is the downtown home of Hawaii Pacific University.
Model Progress Building
Opened: 1898 Architect: Charles W. Dickey and Clinton Briggs Ripley Style: Richardsonian Romanesque Address: 1188 Fort St. National Register: No Hawaii Register: No
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BURL BURLINGAME / BBURLINGAME@STARBULLETIN.COM
For a cool $8 million, the Richardsonian Model Progress Building could be yours.
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Quicktime VR Panorama
Click on pictures to view panaromas
BURL BURLINGAME / BBURLINGAME@STARBULLETIN.COM
BURL BURLINGAME / BBURLINGAME@STARBULLETIN.COM
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See Honolulu City Highlights
Various Honolulu historical organizations have clamored for years to have some sort of survey created of downtown Honolulu's historical sites. The mayor's Office of Economic Development stepped in last year to create order, and 50 locations were chosen as representative of Honolulu's history.
There is, of course, far more history in Honolulu's streets than indicated here, but these sites give the high points and can be visited on a walking tour lasting about three hours.
To commemorate Honolulu's bicentennial, the Star-Bulletin kicks off "Holoholo Honolulu" today, a year-long project to examine these historic properties. For the next 50 Sundays in the Travel section, stories and photographs will illuminate these sites.
But that's just the tip of the architectural iceberg. Viewers can step right into these locations via the magic of QuickTime Virtual Reality, a computer process that allows visitors from around the world to feel as if they're standing right there on the street.
WE'RE ALSO looking for old photographs of these sites to scan for public use. If you have anything, let us know:
Write to:
Holoholo
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
7-210 Waterfront Plaza
500 Ala Moana
Honolulu, HI 96813.E-mail:
bburlingame@starbulletin.com
Every Sunday in the Star-Bulletin Travel section, rediscover the charms of old Hawaii through a tour created by the Honolulu Historic Trail Committee and Historic Hawai'i Foundation and supported by the city's Office of Economic Development. The yearlong project commemorates Honolulu's bicentennial.
