Building Industry Magazine - April 2012 - (Page 26)

Makeovers Mean Business! BY LEE SCHALLER RENOVATION & REMODELING: Renovation, remodeling, redevelopment, makeovers — whatever it’s called, it means business. This sector increases during down economic times when owners and developers take advantage of the more available labor and possibly lower costs. With things seeming to be picking up, is this still true? Beachside Roofing, roofing subcontractor to general contractor Hawaiian Dredging, at work on the Halekulani renovation project Still Going Strong “Since 2009,” says George Ehara, vice president and division manager for Swinerton Builders, “the renovation market has been relatively stronger than the new construction market. In 2012, we finally are starting to see some signs of life in the new construction market. However, it seems that the renovation market will continue to be a good market for us in 2012. Hospitality renovations are still happening, healthcare renovations and commercial/retail tenant improvement work seem to be continuing. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings makes sense when the cost of renovating an existing building is less than the cost to build a ground-up structure. As long as the bones of a building are sound, it is worth looking to salvage the structure. It makes good sense both economically and environmentally.” What about the impact of TOD (transit-oriented development) on this sector? “Rail definitely will drive development along the proposed route,” he answers. As to Swinerton’s current renovation projects, Ehara says, “We are continuing to serve our client at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on some ongoing projects. In addition, work at Kaiser hospital is coming along and should be done this year. We are wrapping up work on the federal building and moving into the courthouse phase of the PJKK (Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole) project. ANdAZ is going full blast with sitework and demolition ongoing and new work starting to go into place.” (The former Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort property being redeveloped into ANdAZ Wailea Resort and Residences, a joint venture of Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Starwood 26 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | APRIL 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - April 2012

Bridges & Roadwork
Earth Day
Renovation & Remodeling
Lumber & Wood
ABC Installs New Leadership
AIA Celebrates Architecture Month
Armstrong Earns Accolades
Aiea to Get New Library
HART Confirms Grabauskas as Director
Datebook
Best Practices
Contracts Awarded
Spotlight on Success: Whole Foods Market, Kailua
Low Bids
Concept to Completion: Walmart Kapolei
Company Showcase: Valve Service & Supply, Inc.
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - April 2012