What if I told you that Building 650 in Honolulu is more than just a structure? It is a landmark with stories etched into its walls. Let’s explore this building.
Building 650 stands as a testament to Honolulu’s history. It reflects the city’s architectural evolution. While perhaps not as famous as Honolulu Hale, Building 650 has its own unique story.
Honolulu Hale, originally the Honolulu Municipal Building, serves as the official seat of government. It houses the Mayor of Honolulu and the Honolulu City Council. The term “Hale” means house or building in Hawaiian. Thus, Honolulu Hale translates to Honolulu House.
Completed in 1928, Honolulu Hale showcases an Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style was popular in the islands back then. Its design includes an interior courtyard, staircase, and open ceiling. These features were inspired by the Bargello in Florence.
Several architects contributed to Honolulu Hale. They include C.W. Dickey, Hart Wood, and Robert Miller. Rothwell Kangeter & Lester also lent their expertise. Einar Peterson painted frescoes inside. Mario Valdastri installed intricate stonework.
In 1951, two three-story wings were added to Honolulu Hale’s original structure. Honolulu Hale is part of the Hawaii Capital Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Now, let’s return to Building 650. A new Honolulu Municipal Building was constructed at 650 South King Street. In 2006, it was renamed the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building. This renaming honored Frank Fasi. He was the city’s longest-serving mayor.
Frank Fasi made a lasting imprint on Honolulu. The Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building stands as a tribute to his contributions. It is a 16-story governmental office building. It was built sometime during the 1980s to early 1990s. This was during Mayor Frank Fasi’s tenure.
The Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building is part of the Civic Center. The building houses various city departments. These include the Department of Planning and Permitting. You can also find the Department of Emergency Management here. Other departments include Design and Construction, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Transportation Services.
The building provides convenient parking. There are two entrances. One is on South Street and one is on Beretania Street.
The Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building is a secured building. Visitors must sign in with security. They must also pass through a metal detection booth.
Building 650, now the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building, stands as a symbol of Honolulu’s government and history. It connects to Honolulu Hale through the city’s administrative evolution. Both buildings contribute to Honolulu’s unique character.