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

by Zoe Ward

Mitsui buys development site in Harumi for 9 billion Yen

Mitsui Fudosan Residential have purchased a 8,800 sqm block of land in Harumi 2 Chome from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for 9 billion Yen (109 million USD). The price works out to approximately 1,023,000 Yen/sqm.

Mitsui recently purchased a 10,200 sqm site on the eastern side of this block from Taiheiyo Cement for 8 billion Yen. Although they have not yet decided on development plans, there is a chance that they will combine the two blocks and built a large-scale residential tower.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Sales in Park Court Chiyoda Fujimi The Tower start today

Mitsui Fudosan Residential begin sales of apartments in Park Court Chiyoda Fujimi The Tower today. The 40-storey building will be completed by the end of March, 2014, and apartments will be ready to move into by the following July.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo apartment contract ratio drops below 70%

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the number of new apartments released for sale in September in greater Tokyo (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba) dropped 9.3% from last year to 3,366 units.

The contract ratio for the month was 69.3%. This was the first time in 13 months where the ratio fell below 70%. A ratio below 70% is considered to be a sign of a slump in demand.Read more

by Zoe Ward

An apartment designed with Roomba in mind

The modelroom for Mitsubishi Jisho Residence's latest condominium 'The Parkhouse Shibuya Mitake' has been specially designed in collaboration with the Japanese sales representatives for vacuuming robot Roomba.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Nishiazabu condominium to offer Mercedes Benz car sharing

On September 4, Mitsubishi Jisho Residence launched the sales gallery for The Parkhouse Nishiazabu Residence condominium. The developer is promoting, in collaboration with Mercedes Benz, a new service for residents of the building called "Premium Owner's Support." This includes car sharing and chauffeur services and is said to be a first in the industry.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Consumption Tax Increase: How will it affect buying apartments still under construction?

With the planned increase in consumption tax receiving approval by Parliament last Friday, buyers of as-yet uncompleted apartments may be hit with the higher tax.

According to the tax plan agreed to on August 10, the consumption tax will increase to 8% from April 1, 2014, and 10% from October 1, 2015.Read more

by Zoe Ward