The Howard Hughes Corp is changing the name of Ward Centers to Ward Village Shops to better capitalize on and unify its 60-acre master redevelopment, which will initially include three new residential towers.
The Howard Hughes Corp. will make the name transition, including signage changes, this fall, said Katie Kaanapu, director of community and retail marketing for Ward Village Shops in Kakaako.
The complex’s five “shopping neighborhoods,” such as Ward Centre, will keep their names, she said.
Race Randle, senior director of development for The Howard Hughes Corp. said this week the name reflects the company’s goal to make the complex a true village that will include parks as well as three new towers — Anaha, Waiea and 988 Halekauwila — that will contain more than 900 residential units.
PBN reported in August that Howard Hughes plans to replace Ward Warehouse with two condo projects in the second phase of its plans.
Ward Village Shops has more than 135 shops in 750,000 square feet of space. Officials say 10 million people visit the complex each year.
Meanwhile, a number of retail stores and restaurants have recently opened or are about to there:
• Bellini Bistro & Bar will open in January next to Ninja Sushi. Its chef, Dave Nguyen, will prepare Italian dishes such as oxtail osso buco, fish piccata and tiramisu using ingredients imported from Italy.
• Paina Cafe, which already has a restaurant at Ward Warehouse, will open its second location in early 2015. Besides poke, the restaurant will also serve salads and sandwiches.
• Ben & Jerry’s is opening in January to Ward Village in Ward Entertainment Center and Mexico Cantina is opening at the end of the year at Ward Centre.
• MORI by Art + Flea, a fashion, art and music retailer that has monthly pop-up markets at Ward Village, will open its first retail that will feature local products at Ward Warehouse near Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. MORI by Art + Flea will be taking the former Quiksilver space. Bellini Bistro & Bar will be occupying the former locations of Leloa Baby Collection and Taco Del Mar — they are combining two spaces. Paina Cafe will be occupying the former Tango Market location.
• Calendar Club, a seasonal shop, will open at Ward Warehouse next month.
• T&C Surf recently opened its second location at Ward Centre next to Genki Sushi in the former Jams World space, Kaanapu said. Jams World recently moved to the former Jeff Chang Pottery space.
Bill Cresenzo Reporter – Pacific Business News