Stangenwald Building

The Stangenwald Building, located at 119 Merchant Street in downtown Honolulu, is notable for being the city's first high-rise office building, completed in 1901. It features an Italianate architectural style with arched windows and terra cotta ornaments, and was one of the first buildings in the Territory to have electric elevators. Designed by local architect C.W. Dickey, it was constructed with fireproof materials, a significant selling point after a devastating fire in nearby Chinatown. For fifty years, it was the tallest building in Honolulu, until the 1950s construction boom. The building underwent an award-winning restoration in 1980 by architect James K. Tsugawa, preserving its unique interior and exterior features. Originally owned by Dr. Hugo Stangenwald, a pioneer in photography and medicine, the building reflects the rich history and architectural evolution of Honolulu.