Judge bans transient housing at high-rise

Advertiser Staff

A state judge yesterday issued an order prohibiting a company from operating a transient boarding house or hotel operation on the 40th floor of Century Center.

Circuit Judge Victoria Marks granted the request by the Association of Apartment Owners of Century Center for the injunction prohibiting the Nu-u Corporation from having renters for less than 30 days or providing hotel accommodations such as room, maid or bellhop services.

The ruling is the latest in a long-running dispute between the association and the Nu-u Corporation, whose president is listed in state records as Richard Lee, a Family Court district judge from 1973 to 1985.

In August, Marks issued an order against the Nu-u Corporation limiting the activities of what the association contended was an unlicensed nightclub in the penthouse of the Kalakaua Avenue high-rise.

"My clients are very happy regarding today's ruling," association lawyer Christopher Goodwin said. "It is my clients' intent to prevent Mr. Lee and his related organizations from continuing to disrupt the quality of life and activities at Century Center."

Nu-u Corporation attorney Alexandra Kaan could not be reached for comment.