KAPA’A – For what Vision Properties, Inc. paid to renovate a Depression-era plantation home into its new offices, the firm could have built a brand new office. Also, the property along Kuhio Highway across from All Saints Church here could
KAPA’A – For what Vision Properties, Inc. paid to renovate a Depression-era
plantation home into its new offices, the firm could have built a brand new
office.
Also, the property along Kuhio Highway across from All Saints
Church here could have been used for a five-unit apartment complex, and turned
into a revenue-producing parcel by the company.
Still, Vision Properties,
along with Us Guys Builders, turned the dilapidated, 71-year-old building into
a modern real estate office, at the cost of around $125,000.
For Vision
Properties Principal Broker Edward J. MacDowell, the decision was really a
simple one. “Maintaining the character of Kapa’a town by renovating a
plantation house” made much more sense to him than tearing down the rustic
building to make way for new architecture.
“I love Kapa’a. I love the old
buildings,” said MacDowell. “I think it’s important to protect the history of
Kapa’a.
He and his agents practice what he preaches, as MacDowell and
others in the Vision ‘ohana give back to the community that gives them jobs
here by serving on various business, social and church committees.
“Our
agents are involved in lots of extracurricular activities,” he
said.
“Kapa’a needs restoration, not tearing down,” said MacDowell, who has
a good feeling about the economic future of both the Eastside and the
island.
The renovation was truly a five-month labor of love, as every
original wall, window and roofing material was restored to its 1929
luster.
“We left every single thing in there original,” said MacDowell,
praising the subcontractors and everyone else who played a part in the
renovation.
“A lot of people touched the project,” including consultant
John Isobe, architect Mark Ventura, and many, many others. The newest things in
the building, besides the air conditioners, flooring, counters and other office
amenities, is the re-wiring done throughout.
Outside, a paved connection to
Kuhio Highway has been established where one never existed
before.
MacDowell gained a higher appreciation for the work of state and
county regulators and inspectors through the renovation experience. As many
people know, he is a member of the Kaua’i Planning Commission.
The
company’s existing, leased office space in Waipouli Plaza stands vacant for
now. The company will honor its lease, effective through August, though others
have already shown interest in subleasing the space from Vision, MacDowell
said.
He said lots of neighbors and other people have come into the new
offices and complimented him on the look of the new/old building.
The
agents appreciate the new working environment.
Keeping with the theme
articulated on last Sunday’s business pages that island Realtors experienced
the year they’ve been waiting for in 1989, MacDowell can’t contain himself when
talking about the two agents in his office that each sold over $10 million in
Kaua’i real estate last year.
You could forgive him for not wanting to
boast too much, as one of those agents is MacDowell. The other is Don
Pixler.
Combined, the two of them alone sold more real estate than all the
other Kapa’a-based real estate companies combined, he said.
The placed
Vision seventh on the island’s 1999 total volume list, with $28.6 million in
sales. The 134 properties sold ranks the company fourth on the island for last
year, according to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) statistics.
MacDowell,
who said most of his company’s business comes from referrals and delighted
return customers, noted that three things add up to the success of Vision
Properties: Dedicated agents, educated agents, and the company’s genuine
concern and respect for, and commitment and dedication to, the culture of the
Kapa’a-Wailua area and entire island.
Like other Realtors on the island,
the current year has been a busy one for Vision Properties. “The year 2000 has
started up like gangbusters, faster than 1999″ he said.
If 1998 was “good,”
and 1999 was “great,” then the new year’s beginning marks a “just amazing,
fantastic start,” he smiled.
In fact, when reached for this article,
MacDowell was on his way up to the Wailua Homesteads to show another home to a
prospective buyer.
For more information on the company, call 822-4444,
e-mail real@aloha.net, or see the company’s Web site,
www.kauai-realestate.com.
