Case Study Analysis of a Successful Preservation Project in Honolulu: Dearborn Chemical Company Building

Abstract

Historic preservation is a way to retain buildings that tie us to our collective past. The outcomes of the efforts range from maintaining the building’s current use, returning it to its historic use, or transitioning it to a new use. Economically, retaining and maintaining historic buildings can be a large financial undertaking. Despite this, it can bring in potential jobs, enliven commercial-retail areas, and directly benefit the owner through established tax credit incentives. Additionally, saving and reutilizing historic buildings can maintain a sense of place and community in a developing city. The historic Dearborn Chemical Company building, located at 535 Ward Avenue, was built in 1928 and was initially renovated in 1956; it was one of the earliest warehouse buildings constructed in Honolulu and is one of the last few of its kind in the area today. The historic Dearborn building was recently renovated in accordance with historic preservation standards. The building is currently capturing federal tax credits for the rehabilitation of a historic building, is listed on the Hawaiʻi State and National Registers of Historic Places, and is presently being leased and used as the Honolulu flagship store for the environmentally-conscientious retailer, Patagonia. This project examines the process of historic preservation projects in Honolulu, using the renovation and renewal of the Dearborn Building as an example. The project explores the issues of compromise and conflict inherent in historic preservation, and contemporary factors including requirements, feasibility, and financing. It also addresses the impact of similar historic preservation type projects in the Kakaʻako redevelopment area. The resulting outcome of this project is a collection of first-hand knowledge, insight, and experiences from the owner of the property, the project architects, historic preservation consultants and professionals, and end-users. This analysis of the Dearborn Chemical Company building is intended to serve as a case study example for similar historic preservation type projects in Honolulu and to encourage the utilization of historic preservation in Hawaiʻi.