TV Asahi to develop former Zaboo Onsen Site
TV Asahi acquired the Zaboo Onsen in July, 2010. An 18 storey office building with a total floorspace of 18,000sqm and an event hall will be built on the 3,769sqm site . Construction is scheduled to start in Summer, 2010 and should be completed by Fall 2013.Read more
Shibuya's Mitake Building/Mansion Reconstruction Project to start in early 2011
An aging residential/commercial building just minutes from Shibuya Station is about to be torn down and replaced with a 17 storey condominium. The current building was built in 1959 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation. Due to its age (it is now over 50 years old) and deterioration, it was considered at risk from earthquakes.
Initial discussions to rebuild began in 1999. The planning and administration company, UG Toshi Kenchiku and Nippon Steel City Produce, were selected to head the project in 2004. The new building will be mixed use with commercial and retail on the first 3 floors, and residential units on floors 4 to 17. Nippon Steel City Produce has acquired the reserved floorspace which will be sold as residential units from Summer, 2011.Read more
Work to begin on former Gap site in Harajuku
Tokyu Land Corporation announced that they will start construction work on their "Omotesando Project" site on November 12th.
The project is expected to be completed by Spring of 2012. The site was the former location of Gap and is located at the intersection of upscale Omotesando Avenue and Meiji Avenue with its casual fashion stores.Read more
New record for the largest building capacity ratio in Japan
Orix Fudosan received a building capacity ratio allowance of 1700% for their development site in Nishi-ku, Osaka. This building capacity ratio (Yosekiritsu) is the largest given to a residential project to date in Japan. The 10,000 sqm site currently houses the Osaka Welfare Pension Hall (Wel City Osaka) and was purchased by Orix in October, 2009. There are plans for a large scale apartment building and the refurbishment of the music hall. The preservation of the music hall will be in compliance with city p0licies.Read more
Asakusa Tower to go ahead despite opposition from Sensoji Temple
Asakusa's Sensoji Temple lost their court case against the development of high-rise apartment building under construction less than 400 meters away from the temple. The temple argued that the development went against city plans to limit residential buildings to 5 stories. No reason was given for the ruling against their case.Read more
Inside a $16 million Tokyo Penthouse
Hirakawacho Mori Tower Residence
23rd floor 5-Bedroom Penthouse
424.98 sqm (4,570 sqft)
1,300,000,000 JPY (~USD 16 million)
Last week I had the chance to view the largest of the four penthouse apartments in Mori's newest building in Hirakawacho. The interior has marble and hardwood flooring and wood panelling. There are four separate entrances to the unit (main, kitchen, maid and emergency use). The formal living room has a gas fireplace and balcony. The formal dining room overlooks the Imperial Palace and Marunouchi.