HONOLULU.- The Howard Hughes Corporation announced today that Ward Village, its award-winning 60-acre master planned community in the heart of Honolulu, continues to redefine urban island living with the debut of its central greenscape, Victoria Ward Park. The park’s opening is marked by the launch of Light Garden, a 1,000-Year Bloom, a one-of-a-kind immersive art installation designed by acclaimed design studio Symmetry Labs.

Dedicated to the land’s most famous steward, Victoria Ward—whose efforts nearly a century ago first made the area a gathering place, the park hosts an expansive lush lawn in the heart of Ward Village. Prior to the park’s development in 2017, the land served as a commercial and industrial site. Today, it is the home of the largest and most technology-forward art installation to be displayed in Hawai‘i. Inspired by the Hawaiian flora, Light Garden, a 1,000-Year Bloom features over 25,000 LED lights in more than 2,300 floral 3D sculptures spanning 9,500 square feet, and is Symmetry Labs’ largest-scale work to date.

The opening of Victoria Ward Park is the latest milestone in the development of Ward Village. Since beginning sales in 2014, Ward Village has sold or contracted to sell more than 1,900 homes. Ward Village is quickly approaching the sellout of its five mixed-use residential towers that are either delivered or under construction—Waiea®, Anaha®, Ae‘o®, Ke Kilohana, and ‘A’ali’i, which are transforming the popular shopping and dining district into a vibrant neighborhood that offers ocean views and a thoughtfully curated mix of retail experiences set among walkable, open spaces.

“Our vision is for Ward Village to be recognized among the great urban master plans around the world. As Victoria Ward Park opens with a vibrant art installation, Ward Village has taken another step towards becoming a central destination, not just for our residents but for all members of the broader Honolulu community,” said David R. Weinreb, CEO of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We are pleased to bring such a unique experience to Hawai‘i, one that exemplifies our commitment to collaborating with today’s creative leaders and inspiring a sense of discovery for all who visit.”

Former warehouses and concrete have given way to an acre and a half of lush grass with native plants and a grove of coconut trees reminiscent of the original Ward Estate. Victoria Ward Park represents the community’s dedication to preserving original elements of Ward’s heritage, a legacy which serves as its guiding vision to create a modern-day haven in urban Honolulu.

“Victoria Ward Park is designed to engage the community as the new center of Ward Village,” said Simon Treacy, President, Hawai‘i of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “Focused on curating a thriving public realm through the development of unique spaces and one-of-a-kind amenities, we invite everyone to the park to relax, play and connect—with each other, the community, and our island beauty.”

Set to sit adjacent to the park is Kō‘ula, Ward Village’s new residential tower by famed architect Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang, designed to further engage the community and activate the site with shopping, dining and entertainment.

The inspiration behind Light Garden, a 1,000-Year Bloom is the re-introduction of nature into Honolulu’s urban core. A 1,000-year bloom describes the unique opportunity to see a flower that is seldom seen in nature. "Millions of people visit Hawai‘i each year who cannot help but be awestruck by the natural beauty that is a hallmark of the state,” said Alexander Green, Founder, Symmetry Labs. “I was excited and honored by the opportunity to create a work of art designed to elicit the same sense of natural wonder and island enchantment using innovative technology.”

Symmetry Labs’ artwork has been the centerpiece of public displays around the world, including the “Sea of Light” at Seaport District and “Tree of Tenere” at Burning Man. Alexander Green is the subject of an upcoming PBS documentary on innovation in art, “Ineffable,” in collaboration with violin virtuoso Tim Fain, and was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the Cannes Lion Innovation Festival, entitled "Beyond Sound: The Music Experience of the Future."

The debut of Victoria Ward Park with Light Garden, a 1,000-Year Bloom demonstrates Ward Village’s commitment to culturally-inspired placemaking, paving the way for the return of the upcoming Honolulu Biennial in March. The Howard Hughes Corporation and Ward Village welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors as title sponsor for the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in 2017, and has once again renewed its commitment as co-title sponsor and the hub of the Biennial in 2019.

A Light Garden, 1,000-Year Bloom will be on display at Victoria Ward Park launching with a special public preview event December 14 and 15, after which the park and the installation will officially open to the public on December 21, 2018. The installation will remain open through end of January 2019.