bauer revival 01
Built: 2021
Edwin Bauer’s 1958 Kalia was originally designed for visitors and fully embraces the quality of living that Hawaii affords. After years of different owners, this unit’s new design looks to restore the mid-century tropical quality to the space. But the intent was to pull it back to utilitarian pallet for everyday contemporary use.
The Kalia started out as a apartment/hotel when it was first built in 1958. Named after the ili’ili of this area of Waikiki, the Kalia gave way to an urban oasis surrounded in pools and gardens. Vintage postcards and promotional material show its original tropical modern character, in true Edwin Bauer fashion. The images show the Kalia as it once was, and its original design intent. At the time of completion it was one of the tallest buildings in the area, with views clear to Diamond Head and the ocean. Now it is one of the shorter buildings in the area, views cut off, but still standing as a uniquely tropical place to live.
