The freestanding, cabinet-depth refrigerator has all of the quality hallmarks homeowners can expect from Viking at a lower price than its custom-size counterpart.

If someone said you could have a kitchen outfitted with Viking appliances, at about half the cost of a standard high-end kitchen, would you believe him?

What if it came with granite countertops, stainless-steel finishes, richly hued teak cabinetry and a view of the West Maui mountains?

You might think such a kitchen is only the stuff of dreams. But it’s real. In fact, it’s just one of the standout offerings in the Villas at Kehalani, a new, upscale town-home development located in Wailuku.

How is it possible to have a luxury kitchen for less? 

A significant amount of savings can be found in the stainless-steel Viking appliance-package option. It’s an upgrade from the standard package offered at the Villas—but one that won’t price you out. Take the refrigerator, for example. Most Viking refrigerators are custom-size, resulting in a higher price tag. The Villas refrigerator option is standard-size, prefabricated to fit most refrigerator openings. “You have that Viking look of a built-in refrigerator for about half the cost,” says Al Lum, of Viking.

“We thought [the Viking appliance-package option] was appropriate, given the high-end look of our cabinetry and countertops—all the architectural detailing,” says Stanford Carr, of Stanford Carr Development.

At 30 inches wide, the freestanding range is standard-size. However, the hood and vent do double duty, resulting in more savings. “The hood and vent above the range act as ventilation, and also a convection microwave,” says Lum. “That combination of a microwave and hood will save you 40 percent of the cost of ordering the items separately.”
Materials and finishes keep the luxury look going. “The whole unit looks like a custom project,” says Stanford Carr, president of Stanford Carr Development, the developer responsible for the project. “We have African teak cabinets, granite countertops, crown molding [offered as an upgrade] and high-volume ceilings.” The units also feature wood trim and solid-core wood doors.

There’s also a roomy kitchen island with cabinetry deep enough for oversize pots and pans. Add Koehler plumbing fixtures, undercabinet task lighting and the fabulous view from the kitchen window, and the high-end thought is complete.

“You’re looking at central Maui,” says Carr. “Haleakala is in the foreground.” The North Shore is visible from many of the units as well—all the way to Hookipa and famous surf spots.

In light of the quality finishes, fixtures and materials that are standard in the Villas’ kitchens, it seems fitting that the company would offer a Viking appliance-package option to its residents. “We thought it was appropriate, given the high-end look of our cabinetry and countertops—all the architectural detailing,” explans Carr. “And we’ve had a long working relationship with Viking.”

The consumer, it seems, is the primary beneficiary of such a great relationship. “We’re bringing the Viking product to a more affordable level,” says Lum.