Contract rate in greater Tokyo exceeds 80%

The contract rate on condominiums in greater Tokyo reached 81.8% in April. This is the first time since February 2011 where the rate has exceeded 80%. The high percentage was helped by strong sales of large-scale condominiums, and signals a change towards positive market conditions.Read more


Sales in Harumi Towers off to a good start

Sales of apartments in Mitsubishi Jisho and Kajima Corporation's latest waterfront development project, The Park House Harumi Towers Krono Residence, are off to a good start this month with 288 of the 320 apartments initially available receiving purchase applications. A total of 377 applications were made on those 288 apartments.

Located in the bayfront Harumi area, Krono Residence will have 883 apartments over 49 floors. The next round of sales begins at the end of April. Another tower residence is scheduled to be built right next door to Krono and the two towers will have over 1,800 apartments.

The sales office and showroom was opened in January and received over 3,500 visitors. The most popular units were a 79 sqm 3-Bedroom apartment priced in the 50 million Yen range, and a 42 sqm 1-Bedroom priced in the 20 million Yen range. The purchase applications on some of these units exceeded availability five-fold. The majority of apartments were priced in the 52 million Yen range, with the most expensive unit sold being 199.8 million Yen penthouse apartment.

Buyers were in their 30s and 40s and consisted mostly of 2 member households. Many were moving out of other high-rise residences.

Source: Shukan Jutaku, April 17, 2012.


Asia's wealthy head to Niseko

  • Luxury apartment and hotel boom
  • Turning into a world-renowned resort area

Hokkaido's Niseko and Kutchan area is seeing a rush of luxury apartment and hotel developments. Known for its perfect skiing conditions, many Australians had purchased ski chalets and vacation homes in the town. The recent development boom, however, has been spurred on by Asia's wealthy investors and developers.Read more


Same-day sellout in Brillia Tama New Town

All 252 apartments available in the first round of sales for Brillia Tama New Town have sold out on the same day.

Brillia Tama New Town is the redevelopment of the Suwa 2 Chome Jutaku housing complex and is the biggest project of its kind in Japan. Developed by Tokyo Tatemono, the new complex will have 1249 units, of which 565 will go to owners of the demolished apartments.Read more


Kobe City sells part of Harborland to developer

Kobe City has sold part of the Kobe Harborland site to Itochu Corporation.

A 4200 sqm block of land in Higashi Kawasakicho 1 Chome was sold for 3.12 billion Yen (38 million USD). Itochu are planning to build a condominium on the site. Under the arrangement, the condominium will include a nursery school.Read more


New apartments in Tokyo on sale in April

According to real estate information service provider, Mercury, a total of 92 new buildings with 9742 apartments will go on sale in greater Tokyo in April. The number of new buildings is down 28% from March and the total number of apartments decreased by 29%.Read more


Asahi Kasei to rebuild two condominiums in Shibuya

Asahi Kasei Fudousan Residence Corp will be rebuilding two small apartment buildings in Shibuya-ku.

The first is "Udagawacho Jutaku" (3-3 Udagawacho) which is located alongside "Shibuya Koen Dori Avenue and next to the Shibuya Tobu Hotel. The street includes stores such as Parco, Gap and Opening Ceremony. The current 7-storey building has just 16 apartments and was completed in 1961. Approval from all apartment owners was obtained in September 2010 and demolition began last month.Read more