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Historic ‘Marks Estate’ in Honolulu on the market for $5.6M

February 7, 2015 By Mark G. Howard Leave a Comment

The Marks Estate in Honolulu's Nuuanu Valley is up for sale

The Marks Estate in Honolulu’s Nuuanu Valley is up for sale

The historic Clarence H. Cooke Residence in Honolulu’s Nuuanu Valley, also known as the Marks Estate, is on the market for about $5.6 million, the broker marketing the sale told PBN Thursday.

JPMorgan Chase Bank took possession of the 4.7-acre, eight bedroom, eight bathroom mansion this past June for $6.5 million in foreclosure from the previous owner, Douglas Himmelfarb, who bought the property in 2006 for $4.4 million.

In May, Himmelfarb, a Hawaii art and furniture collector, auctioned off hundreds of items in the home, including furniture that once belonged to hair-care mogul Paul Mitchell and dishes once owned by movie producer Steven Spielberg.

Himmelfarb, who used to live at the estate, had collected most of the artwork and furniture pieces through inheritance, various estate auctions and antique shops across the United States.

His most interesting piece, which was not on the auction block, is a painting Himmelfarb claims was done by American painter Mark Rothko that could be worth up to $40 million, if it can be authenticated, which has been his quest for nearly three decades.

Built in 1932, the mansion, which is located at 3860 Old Pali Road, is known for its interesting architecture and connection to Cooke, a wealthy businessman, who was a former head of Bank of Hawaii and son of the heirs to the Castle & Cooke fortune.

The estate was also known as the Marks Estate after being purchased by Elizabeth and Lester Marks, and has been featured in movies and television shows. It includes maids’ quarters, pool house, carriage house, guest house and a caretaker house.

“[It’s for] someone who wants a trophy property,” David Buck, a Realtor with Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, who is marketing the property, told PBN. “It does need some work.”

The estate, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places, has a total property assessed value of $6.2 million, according to tax records.

Duane Shimogawa Reporter – Pacific Business News

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Filed Under: Blog, Featured Blog, General Real Estate, NUUANU AREA, NUUANU-LOWER, Oahu home sales Tagged With: Celebrity home Honolulu, Celebrity Homes Honolulu, Luxury Estate Honolulu, Luxury Experiences Honolulu, Luxury Home Honolulu, Luxury Homes Honolulu, Luxury Honolulu, Luxury Living Honolulu, Luxury Mansion Honolulu, luxury real estate Honolulu, Luxury Villa Honolulu, LuxuryHomes Honolulu, LuxuryHomes.com Honolulu, Mansion Honolulu, Marks Estate, Million Dollar Estates Honolulu, Million Dollar Home Honolulu, Most expensive Honolulu, Ocean View Honolulu, Penthouse Honolulu

Nuuanu Neighborhood Profile – About.com

April 14, 2014 By idx guys Leave a Comment

nuuanu01Located ever so slightly out of town, Nuuanu feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu. The area once housed the summer home for King Kamehameha III. It’s no wonder royalty migrated there during the warm summer months; Nuuanu receives regular precipitation and cool breezes keep temperatures milder than other parts of the island.

The Pali Highway cuts through Nuuanu, providing easy access to the H1, downtown Honolulu (about 10 minutes), and the windward side (less than half an hour). The western side of Pali Highway is home to the few high-rises that exist in the neighborhood, and the eastern side is full of single family units.

Nuuanu streets are lined with churches and embassies, giving insight as to the pace and tone of the neighborhood. Toward dusk, couples and families stroll with their dogs, and at night the loudest noises usually emanate from the crickets or stream. A small shopping plaza, several schools, and a local YMCA make up the rest of the neighborhood.

Current MLS Listings for Nuuanu Neighborhood

Nuuanu People

Residents tend to range from high-income singles to seniors who are living out their golden years. The median household income for the neighborhood is $77,000 (Honolulu city average: $63,000).

Nuuanu Apartments and Real Estate

The average median home value for Nuuanu is $770,000, as compared to the rest of the city’s average home value of $840,000 (average Hawaii state value: $550,000). A quick scan of available rental apartments shows most 1-bedroom units priced at around $1500, with two-bedroom apartments available for under $2,000.

Hospitals

There are a many hospitals within a short distance distance of the neighborhood: The Queen’s Medical Center at 1301 Punchbowl, Straub Emergency Room at 888 S. King St., and right within Nuuanu, Kuakini Health System, which has a small emergency room operation at 347 N. Kuakini St.

Libraries

The closest public library is located at 1515 Liliha St., within walking distance for residents located on the western side of Pali Highway.

Otherwise, the main State Library of Hawaii is located at 478 S. King St.

Parks

Nuuanu Pali State Park was an infamous battleground for the fight which occurred between the warriors of King Kamehameha I (who reigned over the Big Island) and Chief Kalanikupule (who oversaw Oahu and Maui). Today, the site remains a favorite of visitors to the island, as the lookout provides a stunning bird’s eye view of the windward side of the island. Parking is free for kamaaina guests. It is always windy, so pack a jacket.

Though not a park, another local favorite is walking or running the Old Pali Road. It’s a scenic detour that parallels Pali Highway for about two miles. The road was originally comissioned in the late 19th century, and functioned as the primary mode of traffic for trips to and from the windward side of the island. While being constructed, skulls and bones from nearly 800 fallen warriors during the Kamehameha and Kalanikupule battle were found.

Nuuanu Valley Park is home to a playground, tennis and basketball courts, and plenty of grassy areas to run around on. The official address is 2925 Pali Highway, but access it by turning onto Puiwa Road.

Schools

Nuuanu schools are housed within the Roosevelt Complex of the Hawaii School District. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high-school within the Roosevelt boundaries. For the Hawaii State Department of Education School Finder tool, click here. For a full listing of all schools, click here.

Shopping & Restaurants

Nuuanu is within close proximity to some of the major shopping centers on Oahu, including Ala Moana Shopping Center and Victoria Ward Centers. For small kine errands, check the Nuuanu Shopping Plaza where you’ll find a laundromat and dry cleaners, floral shop, and the requisite sushi joints. Two fan favorite Nuuanu eateries are located close by: Bangkok Chef and Liliha Bakery.

Current MLS Listings for Nuuanu Neighborhood

Filed Under: Featured Blog, NUUANU AREA, NUUANU-LOWER, Oahu Communities

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