The den, just visible from the living room, showcases a sette daybed by Danao Outdoor. A great way to increase sleeping space, it can be found at Pacific Home.

This open kitchen features a Thermador professional series gas range and hand-chopped tile and stone backsplash in Rainforest Green. The Pietra Verde granite countertop, with leather finish, is provided by Bella Pietra.

Loft living has been alive and well in metropolitan cities on the Mainland for years. But we might not have experienced the true essence of loft living in Honolulu—until now. A new lifestyle community is taking shape downtown. It’s an adaptive reuse project that will both convert—and add on to—a portion of the old National Cash Register (NCR) office building. When it is finished, the project will consist of 32 living units. Called the Vanguard Lofts, its creators believe it will offer something exciting and new for Honolulu.

“There are projects like this on the Mainland, in Denver, the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, Vancouver, Seattle,” says Chris Deuchar, president of U.S. Pacific Development and partner at Cooke Clayton LLC, two development firms responsible for the venture. “We felt that there was a market like this in Honolulu that wasn’t being met. We thought people might like something a little different.” Turns out, they do. Only one model unit is open for viewing, yet 20 of the first 32 units to go on the market have already sold.

According to Brent Tokita, AIA, of Richard Matsunaga & Associates (the architectural firm responsible for the structure’s new design), much of the lofts’ appeal relates to the original building’s creative transformation. “The reuse of existing buildings within the city is not something that’s done much here in Hawaii,” he says.

But when Cooke Clayton LLC acquired the old NCR building three and a half years ago, they intended to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible—and convert it into something useful again. “We weren’t sure what we were going to do with it,” says Deuchar, who notes that he considered moving his companies’ offices into the space. “But once we got inside the building and really looked around, we thought it was beautiful from the standpoint of the concrete. It was solid, like a bunker. We started thinking, ‘Wow, this might be good for lofts.’” About that time, the team learned they were working with an original structure designed by renowned architect Vladimir Ossipoff. “That was a bonus,” Deuchar says.

Exposed duct work and high ceilings are true hallmarks of loft style. Light fixtures, provided by Dial Electric & Lighting Gallery, lend an industrial look.

After reviewing budget and zoning considerations, the architectural and contracting team went to work, tearing down unusable parts of the building and designing an add-on. While the front of the building, which incorporates 80 percent of the original concrete structure, is almost done, the entire project is expected to be completed in April 2009.

The building’s visual and structural integrity is expected to live on, with about two-thirds of its original footprint still standing. In completed portions, duct work is still visible, creating a true converted-loft feel. In many areas, concrete has also been left exposed. High ceilings and large windows abound. An elevator shaft has been reborn as walk-in closets for the four front units and a ground-floor mailroom, while an old staircase houses the new elevators.

The amenities in the units will be top-notch. Each will come equipped with a GE full-size, front-load washer and dryer. Kitchens will feature stainless steel Thermador refrigerators and freezers (Gaggenau appliances are also an option), optional full- or half-size undercounter wine refrigerators, as well as Thermador professional series gas ranges. In the living areas, sliding pocket wall panels will reveal adjoining rooms. Outside, a resident sky deck will house a pool, a whirlpool spa, a resident bar, a barbecue pavilion and poolside cabanas. Eighteen units will feature rooftop decks, and seven of those will have private pool entrances. All decks will include options for built-in outdoor kitchens. “It’s an urban home—something that is very liveable, a house in the city,” says Deuchar.

One-, two- and three-bedroom plans are available in sizes ranging from 835 to more than 2,000 square feet. Kultur Lounge wood flooring in Antique Maple (shown here) is one of three flooring options available to future residents.

And what house in the city would be complete without sophisticated design? To support the expressed goal of introducing a new kind of modern living to Honolulu, U.S. Pacific Development teamed with renowned design firm Philpotts and Associates to carry out a decidedly modern aesthetic—with nods to traditional Island living. “We’ve never really defined ourselves in our urban Island nature,” says senior interior designer Jonathan Staub. “I think it’s kind of exciting to have a product to show what that looks like.”

To that end, Philpotts created three finish package options that address colors and materials, such as flooring, countertops and carpet. Buyers can choose the package that best suits their individual tastes.

First, there’s the Light-Filled Loft. “It’s more airy,” says Staub. “More like an art gallery.” For those who prefer richer, warmer surface tones, there’s Sophisticated City. “It has a little more diversity in finishes and textures,” he says. It’s also the package with which the model unit, currently open for viewing, has been designed. Finally, there’s Urban Midnight. “This one has ebony floors. It’s for the sophisticated urbanite. It’s a little more risky.”

A rendering of the future skydeck shows many of its main features. Poolside cabanas, a whirlpool spa, a barbecue pavilion and a bar will all be available to residents.

This rendering shows the Vanguard Lofts building after completion. Private rooftop decks, as well as the resident skydeck are visible.

Having the ability to choose a finish package is an important part of the experience, says Staub. “That’s the thing about urban living. You redefine how you live in space. We’re trying to give future residents a choice that helps them understand their identity in the product. We give them the canvas and they fill in the lines.”

This full-sized bathroom lies just off the master bedroom. Premium surface materials, including brushed granite countertops from Bella Pietra, are incorporated into the design.

Subtle touches were also added to give creedence to the new loft development’s location, in the heart of an island community. Wall paint in Beachcomber and palm wood kitchen cabinets are available with every design option. It’s just one of the ways the contracting, architecture and design team is redefining loft living in Hawaii, to what appears to be a great success.

Just off the main living room, the den provides even more grouped seating. Here, an Aiden arm chair by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is flanked by a rustic teak block side table. Both are available at Pacific Home.