JL Capital has taken another step forward in the development of its latest luxury condo project, selecting Layton Construction as the general contractor for Muse Honolulu.
“Muse Honolulu is a one-of-a-kind project, architecturally ambitious, thoughtfully designed and rooted in elevating the experience of everyday living,” Tim Lee, CEO of JL Capital, said in an announcement Wednesday. “We are proud to partner with Layton Construction, whose commitment to craftsmanship and collaboration aligns perfectly with our goals for this iconic tower.”
Layton Construction is a privately held general contractor headquartered in Salt Lake City with offices in Honolulu and Līhu‘e.
Located at 1538 Kapi‘olani Blvd., the planned 39-story Muse Honolulu was designed by architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and local partner Benjamin Woo Architects, the announcement noted.
Muse Honolulu will include 315 residences — a mix of penthouses, tower residences, urban lofts and two-story townhomes — and amenities across three levels, the developer says. Those amenities include a rooftop sky lounge; a wellness spa with steam rooms, saunas, treatment rooms and a multi-level fitness center; and a recreation deck with a pool, hot and cold plunge, golf simulator, putting green, private dining rooms and more.
Owner-occupant sales for the luxury high-rise were set to begin this summer. Construction on this project is slated to start in 2026.
JL Capital, a real estate and private equity firm founded in 2017, has completed or initiated a number of major projects in Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood and along the Kapi‘olani corridor in recent years.
That includes Sky Ala Moana, a $507 million mixed-use twin tower condominium and hotel at 1388 Kapi‘olani Blvd. Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, a Marriott brand, is located in its East Tower.
In May, JL Capital broke ground on Amana Lofts, an adaptive reuse project that will convert a five-story former office building at 765 Amana St. into affordable rental apartments. A ground-up project at 1564 Kalākaua Ave. will create another 37 affordable units.
Most recently, though, the developer acquired three contiguous properties along Kapi‘olani Boulevard for a combined price of $36 million.
"We see the Kapi‘olani corridor as one of Honolulu’s most dynamic areas of growth, connecting Ala Moana, Waikīkī and Downtown with access to retail, recreation and emerging transit infrastructure," Lee previously told Aloha State Daily about the developer's focus on the area. "It's a natural location for thoughtfully designed projects that align with the city’s long-term vision for a walkable, connected urban core. Our investments here are part of a long-term vision."
In June, it also was announced that JL Capital acquired a 40% ownership stake in Tournet Hawai‘i Inc., a travel and transportation agency focused on the Korea-Hawai‘i market.
The Muse Honolulu Sales Gallery, located at 1388 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 101, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
