The Shops at Wailea Announces Plans for Center’s Revitalization
Design draws inspiration from surrounding natural landscape and infuses elements of Hawaiian culture
Wailea, Maui, HI (March 9, 2020) - The Shops at Wailea announces that construction has commenced on its center-wide revitalization plans for Maui’s premier shopping and dining destination, with a targeted completion set prior to the 2020 holiday season. The center will remain open throughout the renovation, including the center’s regular activities, signature concerts and cultural entertainment.
The revitalization will transform the existing public spaces and common areas throughout the property with a design that is infused with elements significant to Maui’s history and culture.
The revitalization will bring a Hawaiian sense of place to The Shops’ public spaces through unique design elements that draw inspiration from the island’s magnificent terrain, taking guests on a veritable grand tour of the island’s beauty and bringing focus on Haleakala as its majestic backdrop. Mimicking the flowing landscape, the center’s new common area design incorporates three distinct zones beginning with the focal entrance at Wailea Ike and Wailea Alanui Drive, which represents the volcano’s peak, the “Upper Mountain” luxury wing , the “Middle Valley” community of retail space; the “Lower Valley” gathering and events area, and clusters of retail and restaurant space.
The design embraces the cultural significance related to the meaning of Wailea. The words - “wai,” meaning “fresh water” and “Lea,” the mythical goddess of canoe building - influence the center’s common area design. The existing waterfall that cascades from the Upper Mountain to the Middle Valley is part of the revitalization, representing the water that flows into the valleys. The story of canoe making is also recognized in the design, with the canoe form and natural materials being revealed in seating platforms, floor patterning and woven furniture. From the triangular representation of Maui’s highest and most famous mountain, to the patterned weaving of lauhala, to the ʻukukoʻakoʻa (coral polyp) in Kanaloa’s briny expanse, each design element pays tribute to splendor of The Valley Isle.
The design modifications were also thoughtfully conceived to invite guests to linger and enjoy the passing time. In the Lower Valley, the existing fountain will be removed to create a large center lawn and walkway, as well as a performance area surrounded by canoe-inspired seating ideal for special events. Renovation plans will also open up sight lines at the entryway “Trailheads” and store facades to allow for a more free-flowing, organic design and customer engagement with The Shops’ retailers and restaurants.
“This extensive revitalization will give The Shops at Wailea a new look and feel reflective of its standing as South Maui’s premier shopping and dining destination,” said Rosalind Schurgin, CEO of The Festival Companies, the Development Management, Leasing and Property Management company for The Shops at Wailea. “As we proceed with the renovations, we look forward to making The Shops an even more inviting and pleasurable experience for our visitors and kama’aina alike awhile simultaneously ne unveiling store upgrades and expansions, and welcoming exciting new restaurants and shops to our merchandising offerings, alongside our tenant partners who have grown with us over the years.”
About The Shops at Wailea
The Shops at Wailea is Maui's premier shopping and dining destination with more than 70 distinct boutiques, shops, restaurants and galleries. It is nestled in the heart of Wailea Resort at 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive and is managed by The Festival Companies. The Shops at Wailea is open daily from 9:30am to 9pm and offers free parking for the first hour and validated parking with a purchase for the next three hours; then standard rates apply at $6 an hour or $3 for every 30 minutes. For more information, visit our website at www.theshopsatwailea.com or call (808) 891-6770. Follow @TheShopsAtWailea on Instagram and @ShopsAtWailea on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.
About The Festival Companies
The Festival Companies is a full-service shopping center developer, property manager and advisory services firm, based in Los Angeles and Oahu. Festival’s 15-year track record in Hawaii includes an array of high profile and unique projects including Royal Hawaiian Center, SALT at Our Kaka’ako, The Shops at Wailea, Lahaina Gateway, and Maui Mall. Festival is a nationally recognized innovator of retail properties, transforming real estate into vibrant retail destinations unique to their locations and demographics. Festival’s specialized expertise includes regional malls, high quality resort properties, street retail and urban-in-fill projects, lifestyle destination centers, community centers, and retail driven mixed-use properties. Festival’s extensive background in redevelopment has spurred revitalization and economic development to many communities. Over its 32-year history Festival has developed and operated over 25 million square feet of retail properties in 23 states. For more information, visit www.festivalcos.com.
# # #