This is 827 Mission Street in Honolulu and I want it. It would make a fabulous urban loft.  Sure, it’d probably cost me a thousand times what it would ever be worth to make it safe and livable but that does not matter because I’d never want to leave.

I have never seen inside this building. I imagine it is a dark cavernous space that needs some love. Light could be brought in with skylights. The brick walls would remain exposed. The interior would remain mostly open with few or no walls, the ceiling structure high and exposed. The cars would pull directly into the house from the rear. A circular staircase would lead the new rooftop lanai with views of the city and Waikiki. The lanai would be a lush, secret oasis in the heart of a city.

This is what I see when I encounter buildings like this. In my mind I can see the finished product like I’m walking through. Almost every detail. I can hear the sounds of the city around me and feel the breeze from the lanai, palms swaying, the ocean a few thousand feet in the distance.

I know its not everyones dream. But its mine. And someday I’ll see it happen. For now, I’ll just continue making 827 Mission Street in Honolulu my ultimate urban pad… at least in my dreams.