Four Seasons Resort O`ahu at Ko Olina to Bring New

Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina to Bring New Era
of Luxury to Hawai‘i's "Place of Joy"
The Resort Group of Hawai‘i and Canada's premier developer Westbank join with top
global hotel brand to diversify O‘ahu’s tourism base
October 27, 2014, Toronto, Canada
The Resort Group (TRG), one of Hawai‘i's largest landowners of resort developments; Westbank (WB),
Canada’s premier luxury hotel and residential developer; and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have
confirmed plans for Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, an integrated luxury beach resort and private
residences that will be the jewel in the crown of the master-planned Ko Olina development.
Jeffrey R. Stone, TRG’s founder and master developer of Ko Olina, and Westbank founder Ian Gillespie will
oversee the development of Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, which will encompass a reinspired
Ihilani Resort. The new resort will introduce the first Four Seasons-branded private residences in Hawai‘i,
offering the unparalleled service that has made the luxury brand famous throughout the world.
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“This is the fulfillment of a long-held dream for Ko Olina,” Mr. Stone said. "Four Seasons previously
explored bringing its quality, elegance and prestige to O‘ahu as the company has done so well on Maui,
Hawai‘i Island and Lana‘i. We will oversee this new development with the same stewardship, integrity and
sustainability that have made Ko Olina a lasting success. This project will generate substantial, long-term
economic benefits to the area for future generations.”
Isadore Sharp, Founder and Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, noted that island royalty and
the world’s elite have long enjoyed Ko Olina, or “place of joy” in Hawaiian, as an exclusive gathering place.
“Ko Olina on O‘ahu, with its pristine natural beauty, is an ideal place for Four Seasons to create a worldclass resort and residential experience that exemplifies Hawaiian hospitality at its best,” said Mr. Sharp.
Four Seasons President and Chief Executive Officer J. Allen Smith added, "Four Seasons is committed
to Hawai‘i with our existing four hotels on three islands, and we are thrilled with the opportunity to bring the
brand to O‘ahu, the travel and business hub of the Pacific.”
With the reacquisition of Ihilani from Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors complete, Westbank will take the
development lead on Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina. Known for its unique design expertise
and high-quality developments throughout North America, Westbank has assembled an internationally
acclaimed team to transform Ihilani into one of Hawai‘i’s finest luxury resorts. Westbank’s design team for
this project includes James K.M. Cheng Architects, 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Toyo Ito, Group
70 International, Philpotts Interiors, and SWA Group.
“Ihilani has the classic architecture of Edward Killingsworth, the property’s original architect. He is still
recognized as one of the most accomplished architects in the world,” Mr. Gillespie said. “This property was
the last newly-built hotel on O‘ahu, and architect Toyo Ito, also a fan of Killingsworth, has been inspired
by the potential to enhance the natural lushness and breathe new life into this beautiful resort and tropical
setting.”
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said, “We welcome the very first Four Seasons hotel or resort to O‘ahu. The
addition of this world-renowned hotel brand will enhance O‘ahu’s tourism base and support economic growth
on the leeward coast. The city looks forward to working with Four Seasons on their expansion plans and
the growth opportunities they bring to Ko Olina.”
Ko Olina is located on the sunny west side of O‘ahu. Originally conceived in the mid-1980s, the resort
has been reaffirmed many times over the years, most recently by the notable success of Aulani, a Disney
Resort & Spa, which debuted in 2011. The 650-acre (263-hectare) master-planned community also features
Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club; several private resort residential communities; Hawai‘i’s only private deepdraft marina; the award-winning Ko Olina Golf Club; four oceanfront white sand lagoons connected by 1.5
miles (2.4 kilometres) of shoreline pathways; access to a diverse selection of ocean and outdoor activities;
and the island's best weather, all located 17 miles (27 kilometres) from the Honolulu International Airport.
About The Resort Group
As a master developer, The Resort Group (TRG) is known for creating and repositioning distinctive worldclass mixed-use resort communities. Most notably, TRG has been responsible for reimagining two masterplanned resort communities in Hawai‘i - O‘ahu's Ko Olina Resort and Kaua‘i's Princeville Resort at Hanalei
- both of which feature a selection of globally recognized luxury brands including Four Seasons, St.
Regis, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International. Both resorts offer a mix of vacation homes,
condominiums, restaurants, retail centres, golf courses and equestrian and outdoor adventures. TRG also
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operates Resort Air, one of Hawai‘i’s only private jet and helicopter charter companies with service between
Princeville’s private airport and all neighbour islands.
About Westbank
Established in 1992, with more than CAD 12 billion of projects completed or under development, Westbank
is active across Canada and expanding into the United States and Asia with five-star hotels, luxury
residential, rental apartments, affordable housing, office and retail. The main focus of the practice is on large
mixed-use projects with great importance on sustainability. Westbank’s hotel and residential projects have a
heavy emphasis on design. Recently, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto was chosen by Wallpaper magazine as the
top urban hotel in the world, and its most recent residential project, Vancouver House designed by Bjarke
Ingels Group, has received a great deal of architectural and public acclaim around the world. The goal of the
firm is to create a body of work that is improving the cities it practices in while incorporating a high degree of
artistry.
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PRESS CONTACTS
Laura Fairweather
Manager, Corporate Media Relations
1165 Leslie Street
Toronto
Canada
PRSM@fourseasons.com
@FourSeasonsPR
1 (416) 441-4233
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