Redevelopment planned for Shibuya city office
Moves are underway to rebuild the Shibuya City Office buildings after it was discovered that they would be at risk of falling over in an earthquake that produced a shindo level of upper-6 (read about the Japanese seismic intensity scale here).
At a press conference held on February 12, Shibuya ward mayor, Toshitake Kuwahara, announced that they hope to decide on a budget for the project during the 2014 financial year. The buildings are currently below the maximum allowable building size for the site, so the local council hopes that the availability of additional space will help to reduce their own redevelopment costs.Read more
Former town hall in Gifu to be demolished
The former Kanohonmachi Town Hall in Gifu City will be demolished due to ageing and deterioration.
The two-storey reinforced-concrete building was completed in 1926 at an estimated cost of 60,000 Yen. Read more
A look at the demolition of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka
The demolition of the 140m tall Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka is underway with the building now standing at three-quarters of its original height.
The work is being carried out by a joint venture between Taisei Corporation and Seibu Construction using the 'Taisei Ecological Reproduction System' (Teco-Rep System). Assistant Director of Taisei's Construction Engineering Development Department, Mr. Hideki Ichihara, explains the process:Read more
Chiyoda-ku office bldg sold for 50 billion Yen
Tokyu Land, the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Kenedix have purchased the former head office of the Shinsei Bank in Chiyoda-ku from a Morgan Stanley fund for 50 billion Yen (605 million USD) - less than half what Morgan Stanley paid for it in 2008.
The new owners plan to demolish the 19-year old building and replace it with a new one. The total cost of the project, including purchasing the existing building, is estimated at 80 billion Yen (970 million USD).
Demolition will commence in 2013 and the new 20-storey building will be completed in 2017. The new building will have a total floor area of 57,500 sqm, and will be almost the same scale as the current building, which is 60,000 sqm. However, the new building will have more leasable floor space.Read more