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
Tokyo metro apartment prices increase for 45th consecutive month
According to REINS, 3,069 second-hand apartments were sold across greater Tokyo in June, up 2.3% from the previous month but down 1.4% from last year. The average sale price was 30,160,000 Yen, up 0.8% from the previous month and up 3.5% from last year. The average price per square meter was 477,700 Yen, up 1.7% from the previous month and up 5.4% from last year. This is the 42nd month in a row to see a year-on-year increase in the sale price per square meter. The average building age was 20.67 years.
In the Tokyo metropolitan area 1,583 second-hand apartments were sold, up 5.3% from the previous month and up 0.3% from last year. The average sale price was 37,440,000 Yen, up 1.3% from the previous month and up 5.0% from last year. The average price per square meter was 642,400 Yen, up 2.6% from the previous month and up 7.7% from last year. This is the 45th month in a row to see a year-on-year increase in the sale price per square meter. The average building age was 19.24 years.
Central Tokyo’s 3 wards
In central Tokyo’s 3 wards (Chiyoda, Chuo and Minato), 207 second-hand apartments were sold, up 16.3% from the previous month and up 20.3% from last year. This is a record high number of transactions for the month of June.Read more
For Sale: Modernist heritage-listed house in Meguro
| UPDATE: Land sold, and house relocated. |
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The 81-year old house of modernist architect Kameki Tsuchiura (1897-1996) was listed for sale over the weekend. This is a very rare property to see available.
Built in 1935, the house was designed by Tsuchiura as his personal residence. The two-storey, wood-framed residence has two bedrooms and a study on the second floor, a living/dining room with vaulted ceiling and kitchen on the ground floor, and a bathroom in the basement. The house has a registered floor area of 176 sqm (1,894 sq.ft) and is on a 285 sqm block of land. It is a 8 minute walk from Meguro Station on the Yamanote Loop Line and is 600 meters from Ebisu Garden Place.Read more
50-year old house renovation in Setagaya
From a typical buyer’s perspective in Japan, ongoing improvements in earthquake-resistant construction methods, insulation and new bathrooms and kitchens means that newer homes ultimately win out over older houses. However, there has been a growing trend of renovating older homes. These renovations are proving popular with Japanese buyers who may have once only considered new construction.
Late last year, renovation company ReBITA Inc. completely gutted and remodelled a 50-year old house in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. It was listed for 65,800,000 Yen (approx. 653,000 USD) and promptly sold. This is the 15th detached house that ReBITA have flipped. Read more