Ginza landmark to be demolished
Demolition of the San'ai Dream Center, a landmark building on the Ginza 4 Chome intersection, will start next month. The circular building was designed by Shōji Hayashi, chief architect of Nikken, and completed in 1963. In 2003 it was chosen by DOCOMOMO Japan as one of the buildings that represent the modernist movement.
Kenzo Tange-designed gymnasium to be demolished
Despite the best efforts of preservation groups and years of deliberations by local government, the brutalist curved concrete Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium is heading to demolition, with the prefecture setting aside a budget of 46 million Yen to tear down the landmark building.
Japan’s giant Kannon statues are becoming white elephants
Giant Kannon statues looming over quiet residential estates below have increasingly become a concern for both local governments and local residents. Once a symbol, many are now a negative legacy, fallen into disrepair.
Osaka to demolish 99-yr old official residence
The Osaka Prefectural government is considering demolishing the 99-year old official prefectural governor's residence. The historic home had been occupied by many governors over the past century but there have been growing concerns over its safety in the event of an earthquake.
Historic school building in Ueno to be demolished
The 94-year-old former Shitaya Elementary School in Ueno will be demolished by Taito ward sometime in 2023. This was one of the ‘revival elementary schools’ built after the devastating 1923 Great Kanto earthquake.
Imperial Theatre to be demolished
The Teigeki, or Imperial Theatre, in Marunouchi will temporarily close in 2025 as the building undergoes redevelopment.
Brutalist gymnasium’s future still unclear
The Kenzo Tange-designed Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium may be tumbling closer to demolition as earthquake-retrofitting seems to be more challenging and costly than anticipated.
Yaesu Book Center to be redeveloped
The 44-year-old Yaesu Book Center near Tokyo Station will close in March 2023 as part of a large-scale redevelopment project.
Old apartment building to be replaced with office
Nomura Real Estate Holdings is acquiring an entire condominium building in Takanawa from its apartment owners association. The 42-year-old apartment building will be demolished and replaced with an office building.
Shirokane road widening plan to start this year
Bad news for this stretch of historic shophouses alongside Kitasato Street in Shirokane. On July 25, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that a road widening plan will start sometime this year that will see the road widened from its current 11 meters to 20 meters. Doing so will probably require some buildings to be partially or entirely demolished.