R.D. Olson Construction Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Waikiki Edition

R.D. Olson is making waves in Hawaii. On October 15^th The Waikiki Edition, formerly the Ilikai Yacht Harbor Tower, had its Grand Opening. Originally built in 1967, the completely renovated Waikiki Edition is operated by Marriott International and is the first of the new Edition brand created by Marriott International and the Ian Schrager Company. The 17-story hotel overhaul cost more than $40 million and transformed the prime location.

The head-to-toe makeover included:

-353 guest rooms

-9,200-square-foot ballroom

-4,000-square-foot pre-function area

-2,500-square-foot lobby and bar

-Two swimming pools and adjacent bars totaling 23,000-square feet

-2,000 square-foot spa

-A fitness center

-Over 4,000 square-feet of meeting rooms/space

-Morimoto restaurant

-Crazy Box nightclub

All but the Morimoto restaurant was styled by the interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg of Toronto, Canada. The guest rooms impart tropical style where louvers and wood finishes made of dark teak and Mozambique woods stand in contrast with the room’s fresh white walls. Each suite has a lanai with breathtaking ocean view and is upgraded with flat screen TVs and Internet access.

The lobby and the lobby bar feature black oak floors, white oak and whitewashed walls lined with bookcases and organic free form furnishings. The ballroom is one of three in operation within the Honolulu area. R.D. Olson brought it to life with special oak wood finishing, wall coverings and carpet. Artsy arrays of Chinese lanterns hang from wood beams make a grand display.

R.D. Olson gave the lower pool a face-lift with new IPE decking, and built a new upper pool featuring pebble stone walkways, beach sand, and a walk-up bar.

The adjoining nightclub named Crazy Box, features a VIP area, bar and lounge. Walls are plaster with a foiled silver finish. The focal point is a glowing cloud-like light display holding more than sixteen thousand light bulbs. Combined with state-of-the-art club amenities, the Crazy Box is expected to rank among one of Waikiki’s finest.

The hotel is also the home of the Morimoto restaurant which features the cuisine of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.  The Los Angeles interior design firm, Thomas Schoos Design mixed elements of traditional the Japanese while allowing for glamorous airy spaces to frame an open kitchen and full sushi bar.  Sheer curtains cloud the scene in a fog-like environment and lead to a series of more private dining rooms reserved for VIPs and larger groups.  An intimate indoor/outdoor lounge allows guests to dine waterfront on an open-air lanai while relaxing on deep sofas with its cluster of cocktail tables near open fire pits and wide ocean sky. 

Two San Diego County-based architectural firms are credited with the hotel’s new contemporary design. Solomon Ferguson developed plans for the guest rooms, and Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker the public spaces including: a lobby, lobby bar, nightclub, ballroom, Morimoto’s restaurant and two pools.

R.D. Olson is proud to stand by this gorgeous development. The Waikiki Edition raises the bar for Hawaii hospitality. Guests are surrounded by world-class architecture, creative design and all the natural beauty the island has to offer.

photos credited to: Hotels Magazine