Retailers will move into brand-new digs

The owner of Ward Centers has completed construction of a new two-story building for Nordstrom Rack and Pier 1 Imports at Ward Village Shops.

Pier 1 will reopen on Nov. 1 and Nordstrom Rack on Nov. 14 in a 58,000-square-foot complex between T.J. Maxx and the old Pier 1 location on the corner of Auahi and Kamakee streets, which closed Oct. 8. Nordstrom Rack will close its existing store Nov. 9.

"With the completion of the Ward Village Shops, we move another step forward in bringing our vision for Ward Village to life," Nick Vanderboom, senior vice president of development for Howard Hughes Corp., said in a statement. "The grand openings of Pier 1 and Nordstrom Rack in their new locations represent another milestone in the transformation of Ward Village into a true mixed-use community in the heart of Honolulu."

A more-than-9,800-square-foot Pier 1 and nearly 45,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack are connected to the existing 700-stall, seven-level parking structure next to T.J. Maxx.

The move will give Nordstrom Rack, the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, a larger footprint in Kakaako, expanding the store by 50 percent. Pier 1’s space is reduced by about 3,000 square feet.

The expansion will add about 10 percent more space to Ward Centers’ 550,000 square feet, home to more than 135 shops and restaurants plus a 16-screen movie theater.

Howard Hughes Corp., owner of Ward Centers, plans to build 22 high-rise towers and double the retail space at Ward Centers.

The developer wouldn’t disclose the cost of the project. However, the company announced in 2011 it had received a $250 million loan to refinance three mortgages and provide $38 million to begin redevelopment at Ward Centers.

Howard Hughes plans to incorporate the spaces left vacant by the two large retailers into its redevelopment plan, including a condominium tower on the former Pier 1 site. Howard Hughes hasn’t disclosed tenants that will move in beneath T.J. Maxx.

Ward Centers includes Ward Centre, Ward Warehouse, Ward Entertainment Complex and Ward Gateway Center spread over 60 acres on four blocks.