IBM Building, Honolulu

IBM Building
The IBM building, a roughly cube-shaped building with a honeycomb patterned grille around it. In this image it is lit up pink.
IBM Building illuminated in pink (2016)
Map
General information
TypeOffice building
Address1240 Ala Moana Boulevard
Town or cityHonolulu
Coordinates21°17′33″N 157°51′04″W / 21.29250°N 157.85111°W / 21.29250; -157.85111
Opened1962
Renovated2014
Cost$1.5 million (equivalent to $15.1 million in 2023)
Renovation cost$24 million
ClientIBM
OwnerHoward Hughes Corporation
Technical details
MaterialReinforced concrete
Floor count6
Floor area61,961 square feet (5,756.4 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Vladimir Ossipoff
Main contractorHawaiian Dredging & Construction Company
Renovating team
Architect(s)Woods Bagot and Ferraro Choi
Main contractor
  • Jay Kadowaki Inc.
  • Albert C. Kobayashi Inc.

The IBM Building is an office building at 1240 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Designed by Vladimir Ossipoff, the building opened in 1962 as the Honolulu headquarters for American technology company IBM. It is presently owned by Howard Hughes Corporation, serving as a sales center for its surrounding Ward Village development.

Construction cost $1.5 million (equivalent to $15.1 million in 2023). The building was dedicated on October 10, 1962, in a ceremony attended by officials including William F. Quinn, who was Governor of Hawaii at the time. The roughly cube-shaped massing of the building is distinguished by the honeycomb structure of its concrete brise soleil, inspired by Polynesian culture and also intended to resemble the punched cards used in the computer industry at the time of its construction.

The IBM Building and surrounding area were purchased in 2002 by General Growth Properties, and the building was slated for demolition as part of a 2008 redevelopment plan. Public backlash led to its preservation after the planned development area was purchased by Howard Hughes Corporation, which expressed an intent to maintain the IBM Building's name and general appearance. The development company instead renovated the building to use as an information and sales center for Ward Village. It officially reopened in that capacity in 2014.