Aptly named, the Center of Waikiki is one building in a larger complex. The historic "tropical deco" Waikiki Theater designed by notable Hawaii architect Charles W. Dickey and constructed in 1936 was demolished in 2005 to build it.
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| Exterior of Waikiki Theater ca. 1930s to 1950s. Photo credit: UH Manoa Hamilton Library. |
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| Waikiki Theater interior ca. 1940. Photo credit: UH Manoa Hamilton Library. |
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| Waikiki Theater vertical theater sign ca. 1930s to 1950s. If you look closely, you can see the letters on the sign that spell out "Waikiki", which apparently are now oriented horizontally atop the Center of Waikiki. Photo credit: UH Manoa Hamilton Library. |
The current structure, designed by Architects Hawaii, Ltd, references some of the original design elements, but the splendor of the original is unmatched. The "Waikiki" sign atop the front of the building (pictured above) was salvaged from the Dickey building.
Going up the central escalator to the second level, you will see walls lined with theater memorabilia, and at the top of the stairwell on the second floor there is a placard with more information and interior and exterior photos of the original building.
The Center of Waikiki houses Atlantis Seafood & Steak, California Pizza Kitchen, Rip Curl, Foot Locker, and Coco Cove as of 2016.