Construction on what is billed as the first hotel in Kapolei’s urban core is slated to begin later this year following completion of a previously announced land sale for the more than $60 million project.
Utah-based Kapolei Hotel Partners LLC completed its acquisition Friday of 2.8 acres within the 40-acre Leihano community anchored by senior housing on Manawai Street next to Kapolei Regional Park, according to broker Colliers International.
A purchase price for the land was not disclosed.
Colliers said the seven-story Embassy Suites hotel with 180 rooms is expected to open by early 2017.
Plans for the hotel were disclosed in February, though the land sale was contingent on the project obtaining permitting approvals.
Kapolei Hotel Partners is a partnership between two Utah companies — hotel and senior-living development and management company Western States Lodging and the commercial real estate investment and development firm Thackeray Garn Co.
At least two other hotels are slated for development in Kapolei, including a 175-room Hampton Inn & Suites at the Ka Makana Ali’i regional shopping center in East Kapolei, where construction recently started on a first phase that will be anchored by Macy’s and includes the hotel.
A 150-room Residence Inn by Marriott on 3.5 acres next to the state Judiciary complex in downtown Kapolei also is planned, though this project by California-based R.D. Olson Development is on hold because of high construction pricing.
At Leihano, development is being anchored by 84 rental apartments for seniors called ‘Ilima at wLeihano, under construction on 7 acres by California-based Kisco Senior Living. Kisco, which is selling pieces of adjacent land for complementary projects, sold the 2.8-acre hotel site to Kapolei Hotel Partners.
To date, roughly 20 acres of the 40-acre community has been committed for development, including land for a 55,000-square-foot C.S. Wo furniture store, a First Hawaiian Bank branch and a St. Jude Parish church.
