Waikïkï is arguably the metropolitan hub of the entire Hawaiian Island chain, but the fact remains that people arrive in Honolulu seeking not cosmopolitan sophistication but natural splendor. Island visitors crave the beach vibe, the laid-back lifestyle, the back-to-nature feeling, and the multi-cultural flavors of the Islands in their accommodations, their fashions, their recreation, and their dining experiences.

So it might be reasonable to ask: do people who are enchanted with powder-soft sand and crystal-blue waters really come here to shop?

The mere existence of 2100 Kalakaua Avenue, a glamorous retail cluster on Waikiki’s main thoroughfare, proves that some of them do.

New York-based Metropole Realty Advisors Inc. paid $156 million in 2004 based on the conviction that this prestigious boulevard was already an upscale shopping Mecca, and in the further belief that it is only going to get better with time. The firm has represented luxury brands like Ferragamo and Burberry, each of which maintains standalone shops elsewhere on O`ahu.

Metropole CEO Robert Siegel’s favorite tagline is: “We’re the largest group of luxury stores—without a hamburger stand in the middle.”  His cluster of eight luxury brands exist side-by-side, in harmony, yet apart in concept both in their design schematics as well as the products they sell.

“Our location—which I like to think of as separate boutique townhouses yet are all part of the same picture—is all about the luxury shopping experience,” said Siegel.

So how did Siegel approach Waikïkï’s paradoxical status as the sun & sand capital -- yet also the Rodeo Drive of the Islands? He needed to bridge the gap between vacationers looking for sunshine-filled downtime and their everyday home lives. The way to create this bridge, he realized, was to put them in direct contact with luxury branding, yet within a definitively Hawaiian-themed environment. A delicate mix of color, stone use and landscaping was a start.

Siegel claims that collaboration between himself and Eight Inc. designers left them all thinking the same thing: they needed to blend luxury wares with the natural beauty of Hawai`i—and do it in a half-block.

When you approach 2100 Kalakaua from the Diamond Head side of Waikïkï, you are immediately transported from the red brick, flat sidewalk that skirts an ice cream shop, a ramen noodle house, and a 3-for-$10 t-shirt store, to a sloping, slate-paved berm that elevates passer-bys. At the top of a slight rise, pedestrians can begin to see that the walkway is anything but straight—unlike the last half-mile they have strolled.

The walk winds past highly-manicured grassy knolls, sculptures, benches made of cement and lava rock, and an infinity-flowing water feature. Tiki torches—lit at sunset—spotlight this section of the block, adding a depth of character.

Names like Huge Boss, Bottega Veneta, and Tod’s occupy the first three storefronts. Their matted, neutral-toned facades are set further back from the prior cluster of shops, immediately softening the oft-intimidating experience of luxury shopping. It allows for pedestrians to “discover” the complex in a more gradual, comfortable fashion.

Jumping to the far end of 2100, Tiffany & Co. anchors the cluster with a commanding corner position. Its brown marble façade is highlighted with copper-colored framing. The effect is both bold and subtle, with a nod to tribal Hawaiian design patterns. A balcony on the third floor commands some of the best views of Kalakaua Avenue.

Inside, we are immediately transported to the world of Tiffany. Some visitors may find ironic overtones in the fact that Tiffanyy’s landmark 5th Avenue shop in New York City happens to be a matter of feet from Central Park, while the Kalakaua location boasts a similar proximity to Waikïkï Beach.  Whether in the Empire State or the Aloha State, Tiffany’s somehow seems entitled to the best real estate available.

Yves Saint Laurent uses a slightly different approach. Black metal columns command the open-air, two-story foyer, emblazoned with crisp white “YSL” lettering. Dark gray tiling—matted—climbs to the top of the exterior structure, alluding to a darker, different experience than the greens located a few feet from its entrance. A cracked cement floor brings visitors into the shop, where jagged stones display collection pieces. Tall, thin glass cases, outlined with matte black columns, hold neat stacks of sleek urban wear. Velvet benches in black and white add to the contrasting themes—which hammer home the point. We could easily be on the Champs d’Elysee, or on the promenade in Waikïkï.

“You are creating an ambiance where you have this item purchased, and you take the shopping experience with you, in your mind,” Siegel said.

Chanel’s crisp white matted tile façade is offset by its logo’s block lettering that echoes its product—classic, refined and graceful. The Coach store’s rather bold, large logo commands attention for the way it jumps off the muted gray marble façade. Although the treatment is low-key, its unassuming design puts all the more weight on the brand name.

Inside the Gucci store, classic metallic and glass cases showcase goods and invite visitors to stroll through a maze of product. Gray carpets and metallic frames hold racks of the season’s most fashion-forward garments. Again, as soon as we’re inside, we feel like these products could be worn when jet-setting between Waikïkï and Los Angeles, or Tokyo.

What’s to come at 2100? Quite a bit, according to Siegel. The complex has one retail space still available. A separate, 8,000 sq. ft. space on the third floor is being considered for a restaurant or party space. At press time, Siegel was speaking with Japanese vendors interested in occupying the space—certainly a wise idea as more than 85% of his clientele are Japanese. Lastly, Siegel is considering the addition of an outdoor espresso bar facing Kalakaua Avenue.

Even a brief survey, then, makes it clear that sophisticated minds are behind the design of this elegant retail magnet. That sophistication embraces not just the design but also the psychology of upscale shopping. As Siegel explains, “2100 is the difference between shopping for a utility—a sweater that keeps you warm—to a lady buying a blouse that she will wear to feel a certain way—to remind her of the time she spent shopping in Honolulu. That’s the difference.”