On July 16, Odakyu Department Store Co., Ltd. announced that they will be closing their Shinjuku Main Store at the end of September 2022. This is to make way for a major redevelopment project on the western side of Shinjuku Station.

The Shinjuku store opened its doors in 1966~1967. The 14-story building was designed by renowned modernist architect Junzo Sakakura (1901-1969). Sakakura worked in Le Corbusier’s atelier in Paris in the 1930s and would go on to become chief of the studio. He is highly praised as being one of the founders of Japan’s modernist movement. Back in 2019, a house he designed in Ota, Tokyo, in 1963 was on the market for sale (since sold). He also designed artist Taro Okamoto’s residence in Omotesando in 1953 (still standing). His most celebrated work is the International House of Japan in Roppongi which was designed in collaboration with Maekawa Kunio and Yoshimura Junzo – two other modernist greats.

Demolition will start in October 2022. It will be replaced with a 48-story office tower to be completed in 2029. The lower floors will contain retail. 

Source: Odakyu Department Store News Release, July 16, 2021.

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