50-yr old office building in Tokyo converted into hostel
Yasuda Real Estate has converted a 50-year old office building in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, into a tourist-oriented hostel.
The owl-themed Wise Owl Hostels Tokyo is located above Hatchobori Station on the Hibiya Metro Line. Floors 2 ~ 5 will have dormitory and private-room accommodation, while the 6th floor will have a furnished, 2-Bedroom serviced apartment of 83 sqm (860 sq.ft) in size. The apartment can accommodate up to four guests, with a minimum stay of one month. The monthly rent has yet to be announced.Read more
Setagaya to demolish Kunio Maekawa-designed office buildings
On June 25, Setagaya Ward announced that they are considering demolishing and rebuilding the ward office buildings. The buildings may be replaced by 5 ~ 8-storey government office buildings, with construction starting by 2020.
The No. 1, No. 2 and Kumin Hall Buildings were designed by modernist architect Kunio Maekawa and built in 1959-1960. Read more
Historic Villa in Kobe searching for new owner
The owner of a 93-year old European-style residence in Kobe is looking for a new owner to carry on the home’s legacy. Open days in June and July were arranged for the house by the Heritage House Trust. The conditions of the sale will require the new owner to preserve the structure.
The 2-storey home was built on a hillside position in Higashinada-ku in 1923. It was designed by architect Shichiro Kigo (1884-1955) and built for businessman Jiro Inabata. It was later used as a reception hall for the Miyaji Steamboat Company. In the 1960s, most of the hillside surroundings were subdivided into a housing estate called Okamoto Garden. It was at this time that the current owner’s family purchased the property.Read more
Nagoya City has over 50 public buildings at risk of collapse or damage in strong earthquake
On July 4, Nagoya City released details on 50 city-owned buildings across the city that face a high risk of collapse in an earthquake producing a seismic intensity (shindo) level of 6+ or above. All 50 buildings were built before the 1981 change in earthquake-resistant construction methods. 45 of those buildings are public housing complexes which are home to as many as 2,500 households.Read more
Historic Kamakura villa to be donated to city
The owner of the historic Murakami Residence in Kamakura’s Nishimikado neighbourhood is preparing to donate the residence and land to the city. Based on the land size, the property would have a market value of approximately 420 million Yen (approx. 4 million USD).
Although official records have been lost, the traditional Japanese house is estimated to have been built sometime prior to 1939. In 1941 the residence was acquired by Chosuke Murakami. The house was later inherited by Murakami’s wife, who, prior to her passing in 2014, had requested that the house be donated to the city. She also made arrangements to leave 10 million Yen (97,000 USD) in cash to go towards the maintenance of the property. Read more