Waikiki 3 Theatre
will soon come down

A Los Angeles developer said it is ready to begin its $10 million retail remake of the Waikiki 3 Theatre site on Kalakaua Avenue.

Robertson Properties Group will begin razing the popular Waikiki landmark in the next few weeks to make way for a 30,000-square-foot shopping center dubbed the Center of Waikiki.

The two-story complex will include a 6,300-square-foot Whaler's Market, a 5,500-square Foot Locker athletic-wear outlet and a 7,000-square-foot California Pizza Kitchen.

"This is a premier location in the heart of the Waikiki shopping and entertainment district," said Greg Swedelson, vice president for Robertson Properties Group. "It has an unparalleled customer base, with foot traffic on Kalakaua exceeding 25,000 people per day."

Robertson Properties is the land development division of Los Angeles-based Pacific Theatres. Pacific Theatres is the parent of Consolidated Theatres, which owns the Waikiki property.

The Waikiki 3 evolved from the original Waikiki Theatre, built in 1936 during Hollywood's golden age. The original theater gained fame for its white-palace decor, wide staircases and carp ponds. It also was well known for its cinema organ, which piped in live preshow and intermission music for moviegoers.

Karen Diehl, a spokeswoman for Robertson Properties, said that the center will retain its popular Waikiki Theatres sign. The sign will be taken down and refurbished during the construction and will be returned to the site when the project is completed in spring 2006.