New housing starts down 2.3% in 2018
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), there were 942,370 new housing starts across Japan in 2018, a 2.3% drop from 2017 and the second year in a row to see a decline.
Shinjuku’s 65-storey twin tower apartment project gets town planning approval
On March 15, Shinjuku ward issued town planning approval for the Nishi Shinjuku 3 Chome West District Redevelopment. This project includes two 65-storey, 235 meter tall apartment towers that will be the tallest purely-residential towers in Japan based on total floor count and the second largest development based on total unit count.
5 billion Yen Toranomon penthouse rumored to have sold off-the-plan
A penthouse in Toranomon is rumored to have sold off-the-plan for 5 billion Yen (approximately 45 million USD), making it potentially one of the most expensive apartments to have sold in Japan. Naturally, details are sparse and unconfirmed.
Tokyo World Gate tops out in Toranomon
Mori Trust’s ‘Tokyo World Gate’ project in Toranomon, Tokyo, topped out earlier this month. The 180-meter tall mixed-use tower is expected to open in March 2020, forming an important piece of Toranomon’s transformation into a global business hub.
The Parkhouse Gran Minami Aoyama 4 Chome reaches completion
The Parkhouse Gran Minami Aoyama 4 Chome, a luxury low-rise condominium in Tokyo’s Omotesando neighborhood, has reached completion this month.
This is part of Mitsubishi’s ‘The Parkhouse Gran’ series of apartments which represent their highest offering. Sales were held completely off-market, with no public advertising, and all apartments sold out before completion.
Hotel Okura to replace South Wing annex with high-rise apartments and office
The last vestige of Hotel Okura’s modernist presence is in line to be demolished as redevelopment plans surface for the Hotel Okura Tokyo’s annex (South Wing).
Forecast for Tokyo's new apartment market in 2019
On December 20 the Real Estate Economic Institute released their forecast for the new condominium market in greater Tokyo in 2019. A total of 37,000 new apartments are expected to be released for sale, up 0.8% from 2018, while the consumption tax rate increase is anticipated to have only a limited impact.