What's happening with the International Marketplace?

Hi Everyone - have you heard anything about the renovations that were to occur in the International Marketplace? Are they still going ahead? Any idea of what and more particularly, when? Whether you love it or hate it, it is an iconic part of Waikiki and many an evening by many a person has been spent fossicking around. I, for one, will be sorry to see it go. Please let me know what the word on the street is. Thanks, guys!

What's happening with the International Marketplace?

Aloha,

International Market Place is going nowhere. Funding for the big project never materlized so they scrapped all plans. They were to renovate to a lesser degree, but I have not heard anything further.

I can%26#39;t wait to stroll thru the market place this October.

What's happening with the International Marketplace?

I hope nothing happens until after I am there again in November. It%26#39;s so nice to walk through there in the evening and do a little shopping and just listening to the music and seeing the people. I can%26#39;t wait to get back there. Three months from Saturday and I will be there!!!!!

The International Marketplace remains, for the most part, in generaly full operations.

It is not going to be totally redeveloped in the near to mid-term as was being forwarded over the last decade-plus. The owners (Queen Emma Foundation) decided to just rehab and update the existing facility; focusing on rest rooms, public areas and some of the older structures in the complex. Termites, tropical weather and time have taken their toll on the mostly wooden improvements .

The refurbishment will take place in phases over a several year period, resulting in the closure of only a handful of outlets at any given time.

Currently (as of last week when I was staying next door), they are working on a building or two at the rear of the holding, near the food court. A couple of shops were temporarily closed while others in the effected structures were staying open as the work progressed.

The stage, with its daily live music, and food court were still open, and frankly, the closure of a handful of the scores of shops did not seem to effect the size of the patrons%26#39; crowd or the overall experience.

However, it remains the choicest underdeveloped site in the Waikiki urban resort district, and there will undoubtedly be continuing pressures over the long-term to utilize it for a more modern, efficient mixed-use facility.

The one thing the IMP has going for it is that it generates such a large positive cash flow for the Foundation (which needs the money to run Queen%26#39;s Hospital) in its current state, there is limited incentive to take on the cost and/or risk of total redevelopment.

P.S.....

Unlike what Yeg111 stated, it was never a question of obtaining adequate funding.

They had interested joint venture partners and capital investment offers up the wazzoo, and were negotiating with the owners of the adjoining Waikiki Miramar Hotel (one of the world%26#39;s richest families) to undertake a larger, combined redevelopment.

It just came down to a basic risk/reward analysis; and, the existing cash flow is so high and ownership risk so low the Foundation decided not to move ahead with it at this time.

Further, with the expansion/upgrading of the Royal Hawaiian Center, and the development of the large upscale retail-oriented Beach Walk and Waikiki Theater #3 site complexes, there was concern over whether there was sufficient upper-end demand to support a modern, new, repositioned IMP project at this time.

As the value of the land and economics of Waikiki evolve, conditions may change in a decade or so (or when the next real estate upcycle occurs) and redevelopment will again be on the table.

Thanks, everyone - especially Amberloo who always gives such comprehensive responses. It%26#39;s good to know that some things remain the same(ish!). I%26#39;ve been going to Hawaii since 79 - that%26#39;s a lot of trips and a lot Aussie dollars given the exchange rate. I once went when it was 63c to the US$ - still lhad to go! I am totally hooked! It%26#39;s good that the smells and sights that I carry in my mind are true reflections of what I know and love for when I get there - for 4 whole glorious weeks coming up in Dec. I%26#39;m finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else!

when I was there in just they had vacated one of the front A frame buildings, I was hoping they would knock it down and put in a nice restaurant, anyone notice if they have done anything, it is the one next to macys.

Longboard - I find this very sad although I do believe in progress and variety with the store types but even then, it%26#39;s good to see some of the same ol%26#39; stores when you go. But buildings? At least to me, it is sad to see less timber and greenery being used in quantity only to be replaced by load of concrete and plastic and strategically placed plant speciments. The exception here is, of course, the lovely and distinctive Bank of Hawaii - pineapple style building on Kalakaua. Remember the old Woolworth at the bottom of that building? It was quite pokey and tired but full of character! I say bring on the timber, pacific look!

After 20 some odd visits since 1980, I, for one, was dreading the depression of Waikiki without the International Market Place.

I didn%26#39;t get back last year due to business complications, and it was slated to be closed before I made it back again.

Now that I%26#39;m ready for a Thanksgiving return this year, I%26#39;m overjoyed to learn an old favorite is alive and well.

I am all for moving forward, but with all the progress, too much of the old flavor and character throughout the islands has been lost. I can see why first timers for the last several years are much less apt to fall in love the way I (and so many others) once did.

';Resorts'; come and go in popularity. The current thing will always be hot and current. The more memories of Hawaii that are lost, the more it looks like everywhere else, and the less lure there is to return time and time again over the years.

I was so happy to hear the news back when the plans were shelved for an overhaul of the marketplace. I actually enjoy the kitschy Hawaii touristy shops.

Not everybody wants more Prada and Gucci! I can go to any large city anywhere and find the exact same upscale stores... it gets so boring after awhile.

I goggled the International Market Place and was happy to see that the Queen Emma Foundation had scrapped plans to tear down the IMP. A few renovations are certainly required but we don%26#39;t want some new fancy-schmantzy ';development';. I will be seeing for myself in just 8 days - can%26#39;t wait!

My concern now is the proposed development on Beach Walk. Anyone know anything about that? We always stay at the Hawaiiana and we would hate to see those beautiful gardens laid waste!