Akasaka Prince Hotel Redevelopment Plans Announced
Due to aging, increasing maintenance and competition from foreign-owned hotels, the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka will close in March, 2011 and will be demolished. Of the three buildings on the site, the oldest building dating from 1930 will be kept.
The current 139m 40-storey hotel was designed by Kenzo Tange and opened in 1983. It was hugely popular during the bubble, but lack of adequate maintenance and the introduction of foreign hotels to the market in the last decade has greatly reduced its appeal.Read more
JVC Kenwood to tear down Japan's first Victor factory
The Victor Company of Japan (part of JVC Holdings) has applied to Yokohama City for approval to demolish the first Victor factory in Japan. The "Victor Company of Japan No. 1 Factory Facade" was completed in 1930.Read more
Atsugi's Haunted Hospital being demolished
The demolition of the ruins of the former Atsugi Keishin Hospital in Yamagiwa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa, started earlier this month. The 2605 sqm site has two 5 and 8 storey buildings with a total floor area of 5103 sqm. Demolition is expected to be finished by February, 2011.Read more
Cattle Quarantine Station Office scheduled for demolition
A decision has been made to demolish the former Ministry of Agriculture's livestock quarantine office in Tsuruga Bay, Fukui Prefecture.
Dating from 1916 (Taisho period), the western-style building has fallen into severe disrepair. After part of the ceiling collapsed last month, the owners have applied to the Prefecture to have the building demolished.Read more
Asaya Department Store demolition to start later this month
The Asaya Department store in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, is scheduled to be demolished with work expected to begin by the end of this year. The city purchased the site from the former owner and have plans for redevelopment.
The 3-storey art deco building was constructed by Yasuzo Kida and completed in 1934. The store was opened by the former owner's great grandfather and was the first department store in Gunma Prefecture. After the war it apparently had a ferris wheel on the rooftop.Read more