Kitakyushu modernist buildings at risk of demolition
Two buildings designed by modernist architect Togo Murano are at risk of demolition as the rising maintenance costs are proving too much for the city's finances. The Yahata City Meeting Hall (1958) and Yahata Library (1955) are located in Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka.Read more
Daiwa House to demolish modernist building in Kobe
An example of Japan's pre-war modernist architecture is slated for demolition in February. The former Osaka Gas Shinkaichi Building in Chuo-ku, Kobe, has survived WWII firebombing raids and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, but is unlikely to survive the urban redevelopment as it will soon be replaced by an apartment building. Read more
British Govt to return 20% of Tokyo Embassy land to Japan
The British Embassy in Tokyo is going to become a little smaller next year as the British government has decided to return a portion of the land.
The embassy is sprawled across a 35,000 sqm (376,600 sqft) estate just west of the Imperial Castle in Chiyoda-ku. The land has been leased by the British government since 1872. The US and Spain are the only other countries that lease their embassy land in Tokyo from the Japanese government.
Kamakura Museum of Modern Art at risk of demolition
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama is facing possible demolition as the prefecture has decided not to renew the land lease with the landowner (the nearby Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine). The prefecture's difficult financial situation has meant that they cannot continue to operate the museum and it is scheduled to close at the end of March 2016.Read more
Kobe's Jonas Residence to be torn down after sale falls through
The final bid to save the former Jonas Residence in Shioya, Kobe, from demolition has failed after the possible buyer backed out of discussions.
In late September a renewable energy-related company began negotiations with the seller - developer Anabuki Kosan - to purchase the historic house and land. Unfortunately the two parties could not come to an agreement on the sale price and the buyer walked away from the deal on October 10.Read more
Old Andersen bakery in Hiroshima to be demolished
The 88-year old Andersen bakery in Hiroshima is going to be demolished and rebuilt by Andersen Group as repairs and upgrades to the existing building prove too costly.
The renaissance style building was designed by architect Uheji Nagano and completed in 1925. It was originally the Hiroshima branch of the Teikoku Bank (which later merged to become part of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation). Mr. Nagano designed a number of buildings for the Bank of Japan, including their head office which still stands in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.Read more
Kobe Jonas Residence to be purchased by energy company
The 94-year old Jonas Residence in Kobe may have been saved from demolition as a renewable energy company have entered into negotiations to purchase the property at the eleventh hour.
Earlier this year it was announced that the historic property would be demolished to make way for a 12-storey apartment building. Local preservationists sprung into action and convinced the owner/developer Anabuki Kosan to postpone demolition. Anabuki agreed that they would delay demolition until October, and would consider selling the property for 360 million Yen if a buyer was found by the end of September. Read more