A $5.8 Million Building Next to the Cathedral: Honolulu’s Diocese Buys a Piece of Downtown History

• The diocese bought the Model Progress Building for $5.8 million
• The four-storey stone, iron and brick building dates from 1898
• It stands steps from the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
• Plans include a reliquary chapel and a “Cathedral Commons”

The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu has bought a historic downtown building next to its cathedral, OSV News reported in March 2026.

The Model Progress Building, at Fort Street Mall and Beretania Street, is a four-storey property completed in 1898 in stone, iron and brick. It is made up of two structures, the Progress Building and the Model Building, which share a wall and an elevator. It stands steps from the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and the diocesan chancery. Hawaii Pacific University once used it for offices and classrooms, and ground-floor tenants include a florist and an architecture firm, with self-storage in the basement.

The sale closed on 13 February 2026 for $5.8 million. The seller was a subsidiary of the Alexander C. Waterhouse Sr. Foundation. The diocese plans a reliquary chapel for relics of St Damien and St Marianne Cope, a “Cathedral Commons” for receptions, seminars and classes, and outreach to the poor. Short-term commercial leasing will continue.

Bishop Larry Silva said he expects the cathedral basilica to become an active pilgrimage site for local people and visitors. “Our outreach to the poor and needy has always been a part of who we are,” he said. A diocesan official said there was no timeline yet for occupying the building, as cathedral renovations remained the immediate focus.

Buying next to an existing church site can be one of the best property decisions a church makes, because such land comes up for sale only occasionally. Keeping commercial tenants in place meanwhile provides income while plans develop.

Jamaican churches in town centres should watch for neighbouring properties that come on the market. Adjoining land can provide parking, halls or rental income, and keeping existing tenants while plans are prepared can help cover the cost of the purchase.

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