Picture this Building 75 in Honolulu a two-story structure on North King Street. It stands proudly next to The Pig and the Lady restaurant a testament to Chinatown’s enduring spirit. This unassuming building holds a fascinating history. It was once owned by Yim Quon a merchant who immigrated from Canton China in 1872. He built it after the devastating Chinatown fire of 1886 one of the first masonry buildings to rise from the ashes.
The Yim Quon building is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a story of resilience and adaptation. Mat D’Ascoli and his father Ed purchased it in 2014 for $1.14 million. Ed D’Ascoli the founder of Xcel Wetsuits a multi-million dollar company had a vision for this historic site. Initially they planned to convert it into a townhouse residence. But their plans shifted. They decided to create two loft apartments on the second floor. They also leased the ground floor to renowned chefs Chris Kajioka Anthony Rush and Katherine Nomura. This resulted in the creation of the acclaimed Senia restaurant.
The renovation was no easy task. It took the D’Ascolis a year just to obtain the necessary permits. They faced countless bureaucratic hurdles in their quest to restore the building’s historic integrity. They even had to navigate the complexities of applying for a 20 percent federal historic rehabilitation tax credit. The process was costly.
The transformation of Building 75 was not without its critics. Some felt the renovations would cause a spike in Chinatown rents. Yet Mat D’Ascoli passionately believes in urban living and preserving Chinatown’s rich heritage. He sees Building 75 as a symbol of revitalization. It shows how historic structures can be repurposed to thrive in a modern city.
Today Building 75 stands as a blend of old and new. One loft apartment is used as Senia’s wine tasting and private dining room. The other loft is rented out for $2500 a month. The building itself is a reminder of the enduring strength of Honolulu’s Chinatown. It showcases the determination and investment it takes to breathe new life into historic buildings.