Honolulu Rapid Transit & Historic Sites

Photo by Mason Architects for Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project

This is historic because of its association with the commercial development of Honolulu and the Dillingham family empire of businesses and its association with the early development of Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu as the center of commerce for the Territory of Hawaii. It is a good example of the Italian Renaissance Revival Style with an ornate Art Deco lobby. Designed by San Diego architect Lincoln Rodgers, working with Burton Newcomb who specialized in designing offices (Ames, Kenneth, On Bishop Street, First Hawaiian Bank, 1996: 107).

Architectural Detail:

This four-story, Italian Renaissance Revival-style building has many typical high-style elaborations: rusticated stonework (joints emphasized) at the first story, quoins (at the upper floor corners), arcaded entry, and upper-story setback sections with simulated second-story porches. In addition, the building displays many other features which typify the style: low-pitch hip roof covered in tile, widely overhanging eaves with decorative brackets, and arched windows and doors at the first story. The entry lobby has elaborate Art Deco embellishments on walls, floors, fixtures, and ceiling, featuring geometric, nautical, and tropical motifs, along with a memorial plaque to Benjamin F. Dillingham.

Dillingham Transporation Building

Built 1930

Will be Adversely Affected by Rail Transit

Photos and text dervived from Study of Potential Effects to Historic Properties prepared by Mason Architects for the Honolulu Rapid Transit Corridor Project, City and County of Honolulu, 2008

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