Atlantis planning $2B aquarium resort next to Aulani

[EWL]

Just back from our first trip to Aulani and came across this article... we were surprised at how close next door the Four Seasons is already, and now this could be on the other side:

Atlantis Resorts eyeing expansion to Hawaii at Ko Olina Resort

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/...resorts-eyeing-expansion-to-hawaii-at-ko.html

Atlantis Resorts, a global luxury resort brand that specializes in “entertainment destination resorts,” is likely finalizing a deal to open its first resort in the United States in Hawaii at the Ko Olina Resort in West Oahu, multiple sources confirmed to Pacific Business News.

Sources close to the situation tell PBN that Atlantis Resorts, a subsidiary ofKerzner International Resorts, is working out the details for a contract that involves a vacant parcel next to Disney’s Aulani Resort, half of which is owned by Shirokiya owner Takeshi Sekiguchi, one of the original developers of Ko Olina Resort.

Enlarge
A pathway at Ko Olina Resort leads to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. A new Atlantis… more

TINA YUEN

Sekiguchi, who also developed the Grand Wailea resort on Maui, owns at least one prime piece of the resort — a 15-acre parcel on the Diamond Head side of the first lagoon and next door to what is today Aulani.


Sekiguchi previously told PBN that he was partnering with Ko Olina Resort’s current master developer Jeff Stone, president and CEO of The Resort Group, to develop the vacant parcel, but declined to reveal details.

Amelia Lim, a vice president of valuation and advisory services for CBRE Hawaii, declined comment about the project, but told PBN that she wouldn’t be surprised if a well-capitalized group or partnership decided to build a large format destination resort along the lines of Aulani.

“Ko Olina can certainly support development on this scale because it has both availability of suitable sites and extensive infrastructure,” she said.

A real estate source told PBN that the Atlantis Resorts project is an “impressive get for Jeff Stone.”

The Atlantis Resort would join Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel on Oahu at the Ko Olina Resort, which is replacing the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa.

 

[southerngirl528]

Wow, VERY interesting EWL! My only concern is that if this new resort would be sharing the same lagoon as Aulani and the 4 Seasons it would be one very crowded beachfront. Otherwise it sounds like a very nice addition to Ko'Olina!

 

[SuperRob]

Wow, VERY interesting EWL! My only concern is that if this new resort would be sharing the same lagoon as Aulani and the 4 Seasons it would be one very crowded beachfront. Otherwise it sounds like a very nice addition to Ko'Olina!

The beaches in Hawaii are all public, so the hotel being nearby isn't the only factor that could lead to crowded beaches. Theoretically, anyone could swim there if they wanted.

I'm curious to see what kinds of features/amenities they might have there. I'm intrigued!

 

[southerngirl528]

Yes, I do know all beaches in Hawaii are public, SuperRob. Hawaii is our "happy place" and we go as often as budget and schedules allow. But when you have very large hotels sharing one not-very-big lagoon, it can be very crowded even if not a soul that isn't a resort guest is in the mix.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wow, VERY interesting EWL! My only concern is that if this new resort would be sharing the same lagoon as Aulani and the 4 Seasons it would be one very crowded beachfront. Otherwise it sounds like a very nice addition to Ko'Olina!

That was my first thought too.

 

[ziravan]

Atlantis will add lots of value to next door Aulani. The ability to day pass at Atlantis will add a new component to visiting.

Atlantis Harborside does tons of cruising business.

If both parties are smart, Aulani and Atlantis will come up with some sort of working relationship.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Sounds fab but worried how busy beach would get

 

[Murron]

Competition is good! Makes everyone step up their game.

 

[wdrl]

Yes, the Hawaiian beaches are public. I don't know whether this is true, but I have heard that since the Ko Olina lagoons are man-made, they are considered to be private property. As such, the resort hotels can restrict use of the lagoons to their guests.

I'm not too worried about the Aulani lagoon becoming too crowded if Atlantis builds a resort next door to Aulani. I think there will be lots of Aulani guests who will want to spend a day using the Atlantis amenities, assuming the Ko Olina Atlantis will be anything like the Atlantis in the Bahamas. This might relieve some of the demands on Aulani's own amenities.

 

[DenLo]

There are two more hotels coming to Ko Olina, http://www.koolina.com/explore/news/hawaii/479/pageid/479/2-more-hotels-planned-for-ko-olina-hawaii I can't see in the article as to which two lots these Chinese hotels would occupy. There wasn't anything on the Ko Olina website about Atlantis.

Edit: Here is a map of the Ko Olina. It looks like only two lagoon properties are left. Is Atlantis using one of the Chinese company's properties?

 

[disneynutz]

As additional resorts are built, Aulani owners can expect property taxes to increase. Sometimes expansion isn't always a good thing.

Bill

 

[DenLo]

As additional resorts are built, Aulani owners can expect property taxes to increase. Sometimes expansion isn't always a good thing.

Bill

Tell me about it--we own BLT, the property taxes there have skyrocketed. And we also own at Aulani, I can see the change coming.

 

[EWL]

Looking at the Honolulu county online real estate maps and based on the press release, the Chinese parcels are the ones between the Beach Villas at Ko Olina and Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club. That would leave only two parcels available as stated in the press release-- one between the Marriott and the Marina, and the one next to Aulani (outlined in red on the map below and the one rumored to be under consideration by Atlantis). Looks like that parcel would indeed share the lagoon with Aulani and Four Seasons. Mixed feelings about having so many people concentrated in what doesn't seem like a large area.

 

[EWL]

Yes, the Hawaiian beaches are public. I don't know whether this is true, but I have heard that since the Ko Olina lagoons are man-made, they are considered to be private property. As such, the resort hotels can restrict use of the lagoons to their guests.

I'm not too worried about the Aulani lagoon becoming too crowded if Atlantis builds a resort next door to Aulani. I think there will be lots of Aulani guests who will want to spend a day using the Atlantis amenities, assuming the Ko Olina Atlantis will be anything like the Atlantis in the Bahamas. This might relieve some of the demands on Aulani's own amenities.

It sounds like they are open to the public, but there is some grumbling about how the public is supposed to get to them:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/...tter-public-accessibility-to-ko-olina-lagoons

 

[southerngirl528]

I know that with natural beaches (no idea about if man-made lagoons are exempt or not) in Hawaii, if there is a big stretch of resorts they must provide public beach access every so often. I can think of several on Maui, which is the island with which I am most familiar.

As for Atlantis, if this deal goes through and no doubt it will be very nice, but I love Aulani and all its offerings and I can't wait to check out the Four Seasons restaurants & cafes. I don't see myself or my brood caring much about Atlantis. And definitely not if they have captive dolphins at their hotel.

 

[EWL]

Another news report with more info and an interesting video segment if you follow the link:
(Also credit to @Aviator621 for spotting this article!)

Plans for $2B Atlantis aquarium resort being finalized at Ko Olina
Posted: Jan 22, 2016 10:29 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 22, 2016 10:57 PM EST
By Keoki Kerr

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/...s-aquarium-resort-being-finalized-at-ko-olina

KO OLINA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

Atlantis Resorts is finalizing a deal to build one of its famous ocean-themed resorts in Ko Olina, which could be the most expensive resort ever built, sources said.

The project has been in the works for more than a decade and was announced with much fanfare in 2005, but stalled since then.

Atlantis Resorts company is working out the final details of a deal to build the resort on a 15-acre parcel of land on the Diamond Head side of Disney's Aulani Resort, sources said.

People familiar with the project said the amenities there will be similar to Atlantis' The Palm resort in Dubai, with a huge interactive aquarium as well as some hotel rooms with an aquarium view, a dolphin encounter and a shark habitat. There will be a mix of hotel, condo and timeshare units, sources said.

One source said it could be the most expensive resort ever built, with a price tag of more than $2 billion.

That figure amazed Pat Pascual of Pearlridge, who Hawaii News Now spoke to as she and her husband walked along the lagoon in front of the future project.

"Well, it's incredible, the numbers. I can't even fathom. But Hawaii's the most beautiful place in the world. So it's the perfect place to build it," Pascual said.

Ko Olina Developer Jeff Stone announced the project 11 years ago in the governor's office with landowner billionaire Takeshi Sekiguchi. Friday, both men declined comment.

Stone talked about the aquarium at that 2005 news conference: "This aquarium will look as the ocean looks. It'll look as the sea looks today. You'll be able to view it underneath. You'll be able to interact with it, actually swim through it, and you'll be able to learn from it in a natural setting.”

Sources said one thing that bogged down the original project was that some backers continued pushing unsuccessfully for casino gambling there.

There's no timetable yet for this project, sources said. It still has to go through various permitting and regulatory processes before construction begins.

In December, Stone’s The Resort Group announced China Oceanwide Holdings Group Company purchased two beachfront parcels at Ko Olina planned for a luxury resort and residential development.

 

[DenLo]

That makes more sense that the Chinese company is doing a residential development too. The residential developments are not on the lagoons.

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, the Hawaiian beaches are public. I don't know whether this is true, but I have heard that since the Ko Olina lagoons are man-made, they are considered to be private property. As such, the resort hotels can restrict use of the lagoons to their guests.

It sounds like they are open to the public, but there is some grumbling about how the public is supposed to get to them:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/...tter-public-accessibility-to-ko-olina-lagoons

There is a pathway alongside the Aulani resort (between there and the former JW Marriott) for locals to get to the beach. The lagoon beach is not restricted to just guests of the resort.

 

[quinnc19]

Anyone think construction will start by June? Hoping not!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Anyone think construction will start by June? Hoping not!!

It sounds like this project has a long way to go before construction starts.