Servco to add auto showroom

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

An architect's rendering shows the old Columbia Inn site transformed into a Servco luxury car showroom. Renovations are scheduled to be completed by summer. Servco-Lexus

Remodeling work on the 50-year-old building is scheduled to begin this week and be completed this summer, according to Servco.

The project, at 645 Kapi'olani Blvd., directly across from Servco's main Lexus dealership, will allow the company to expand sales of pre-owned vehicles.

The showroom will also add another luxury-vehicle dealership to a two-block section on Kapi'olani that has attracted BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar retailers in recent years.

"This new facility will enable us to respond to the growing demand for previously owned Lexus automobiles and SUVs, as well as other luxury cars here in Hawai'i," said Mark Fukunaga, Servco Pacific chairman and chief executive officer.

Servco expects used-vehicle sales to rise to about 40 a month, compared to typical monthly sales of about 25 Lexus and other vehicles received as trade-ins.

The Hawai'i-based automotive, insurance, investment and office and consumer products company bought the 22,000-square-foot site from former Columbia Inn operator Kyotaru Co. Inc. a year ago for $1.8 million, which is about half the project's total cost.

The design of the building was modeled after Servco's Lexus showroom, which opened in 1999.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadver tiser.com or 525-8065.