KTGY-Designed Sustainable TOD 318-Unit Apartment Community Breaks Ground in West Oahu Near Transit

March 10, 2020

DENVER — KTGY Architecture + Planning, an international, award-winning architecture firm, is pleased to announce that a groundbreaking ceremony was held on February 25, 2020, for The Element, a $125 million residential rental community located on West O’ahu in Ho’opili, Hawai’i. Developed by Alaka’i Development, a Hawai’i-based residential development firm, The Element is located at the entrance to D.R. Horton’s Ho’opili master-planned community and across the street from the University of Hawai’i’s West O’ahu campus and the new rail station, which is expected to open in late 2020.

Expected to be one of the first of its kind in Hawai’i, according to Scott Bryans, AIA, director, architecture with KTGY, the new apartment community combines a transit-oriented location adjacent to the new rail station; a net-zero strategy, which incorporates solar panels; and affordability with approximately 20 percent of the units will be for residents who make no more than 80 percent of the area median income.

“The new design incorporates roof- and carport-mounted solar panels together with battery storage. By generating as much electricity as the residents consume, the community’s single largest operating expense, electricity, is controlled and the building’s carbon footprint is reduced to near zero,” said Bryans.

“The Element incorporates memorable, natural materials which connect the apartment community’s residents to their environment,” notes Bryans. “The Element’s materials are primarily cement-fiber board and the use of board and batten patterning and lap siding are reminiscent of Hawaiian Plantation-style architecture, which refer to the agrarian history of the site and West O’ahu.”

The exterior design uses massing elements of stair towers and strong corner features to break-up the mass of the building. The use of different colors and textures of the exterior material further helps break up the massing and provides visual interest.

The community amenities include a clubhouse lounge, pool, covered barbeque and picnic areas, fitness center, park and a café. The Element will offer one, two and three-bedroom units with nine-foot ceilings, granite countertops, Energy Star appliances, in-unit washer and dryers, central air conditioning, and some units will have bonus rooms.

“The clubhouse is comprised of three buildings enclosing an interior courtyard with the pool deck,” said Bryans. “The corner of the site, which features a small café with generous outdoor seating and a plaza area, is strategically located within one block of the future rail station and intended to be a place of public interaction for both the residents of the apartment community and surrounding area.”

Bryans also notes that dining and entertainment are less than a mile away at the Ka Makana Ali’i Mall. The campuses of the University of Hawai’i, West Oahu and Hawaii Tokai International College are just steps away and the Salvation Army Kroc Center, a 200,000-square-foot community center, the largest of its kind in Hawai’i, is just a mile away. When the nearby Keone’ae Station at the University of Hawai’i West Oahu campus is completed, transit will take residents and visitors to downtown in 36 minutes.

Nearby, just a few miles to the east of The Element, is Kapolei Lofts, which was developed by the principals of Alaka‘i Development and designed by KTGY. The 499-unit rental community, which was completed in 2016, was the winner of PCBC’s Gold Nugget Grand Award for Best Affordable Community Under 30 du/acre in 2016 and received two Awards of Excellence during the NAIOP Hawaii’s 19th Annual Kukulu Hale Awards in 2016 — the Green Building Award and New Project Award – Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF. The NAIOP Hawaii’s Awards of Excellence program recognizes accomplishments in Hawaii’s commercial real estate industry, including recognition for new and renovated commercial and public projects statewide. The Element is similarly focused, notes Bryans.

The general contractor for The Element is Moss. The solar contractor is RevoluSun. The Element is slated to open its first units before the end of the year. Pre-leasing will begin in summer 2020. For more information, visit TheElementWestOahu.com.

About Alaka’i Development
Alaka’i Development is a Hawaii-based residential development firm, whose mission is to meet the need of Hawaii’s housing shortage by developing quality rental residences. Alaka’i (ah-lah-kah-ee) means “to lead or guide” in the Hawaiian language. The description characterizes the principals of Alaka’i Development and serves as a compass in the vision of each project as we create meaningful places to live. With a decade of experience working together, our team of real estate professionals is focused on leading Hawaii to a smarter future where rental housing becomes a meaningful component of the State’s housing stock. The team’s history of successful public-private partnerships, cost-effective solutions, environmentally conscious building, and unwavering integrity makes Alaka’i Development trustworthy partners who achieve success by improving the built environment. Visit www.alakaidevelopment.com.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Founded in 1991, KTGY Architecture + Planning is a leading architecture and design firm focused on residential and mixed-use developments and neighborhood revitalization. KTGY seamlessly delivers innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple design studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to create memorable destinations of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune (India) and Tysons. See www.ktgy.com.