Tokyo apartment asking prices increase for 24th consecutive month
According to Tokyo Kantei, the average asking price of a 70 sqm (753 sq.ft) second-hand apartment in greater Tokyo in June 2016 was 34,730,000 Yen, up 0.6% from the previous month and up 15.3% from last year. This is the 6th month in a row to record an increase from the previous month. The average building age was 22.2 years.
In the Tokyo metropolitan area the average asking price was 47,900,000 Yen, up 0.5% from the previous month and up 14.7% from last year. This is the 24th month in a row to record an increase in prices. The average building age was 21.9 years.
In Tokyo’s 23 wards the average asking price was 52,870,000 Yen, up 0.4% from the previous month and up 12.9% from last year. The average building age was 21.8 years.
In Tokyo’s central six wards (Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Bunkyo and Shibuya) the average asking price was 71,500,000 Yen, up 0.1% from the previous month and up 8.8% from last year.
Average monthly rent in June 2016
According to Tokyo Kantei the average monthly rent of a condominium in greater Tokyo was 2,605 Yen/sqm in June 2016, down 2.1% from the previous month and down 0.5% from last year. The average apartment size was 59.73 sqm and the average building age was 19.8 years.
In the Tokyo metropolitan area the average monthly rent was 3,132 Yen/sqm, down 1.0% from the previous month but up 0.7% from last year. The average apartment size was 57.08 sqm and the average building age was 18.0 years.Read more
New apartment supply in Tokyo down for 7th month
According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 3,050 brand new apartments were released for sale in greater Tokyo in June, up 1.6% from the previous month but down 12.9% from last year. This is the 7th month in a row to see a year-on-year decline in supply.
2,124 apartments were sold, resulting in a contract ratio of 69.6%, down 1.3 points from the previous month and down 9.1 points from last year. 410 apartments in high-rise buildings (over 20-storeys) were offered for sale, down 45.0% from last year. The contract ratio was 81.0%, up 7.1 points from the previous month but down 0.6 points from last year.
The average price of a new apartment across greater Tokyo was 56,720,000 Yen, down 0.4% from the previous month and down 2.5% from last year. The average price per square meter was 823,000 Yen, showing no change from the previous month but down 0.7% from last year.Read more
50-yr old office building in Tokyo converted into hostel
Yasuda Real Estate has converted a 50-year old office building in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, into a tourist-oriented hostel.
The owl-themed Wise Owl Hostels Tokyo is located above Hatchobori Station on the Hibiya Metro Line. Floors 2 ~ 5 will have dormitory and private-room accommodation, while the 6th floor will have a furnished, 2-Bedroom serviced apartment of 83 sqm (860 sq.ft) in size. The apartment can accommodate up to four guests, with a minimum stay of one month. The monthly rent has yet to be announced.Read more
Setagaya to demolish Kunio Maekawa-designed office buildings
On June 25, Setagaya Ward announced that they are considering demolishing and rebuilding the ward office buildings. The buildings may be replaced by 5 ~ 8-storey government office buildings, with construction starting by 2020.
The No. 1, No. 2 and Kumin Hall Buildings were designed by modernist architect Kunio Maekawa and built in 1959-1960. Read more
Apartment owners battling with short-term accommodation hosts
High-rise apartment buildings with hotel-like facilities, such as lounges and guest rooms, are growing increasingly popular in urban centres such as Tokyo and Osaka. However, these buildings are also proving popular with hosts providing illegal overnight accommodation through booking sites similar to AirBnb. The increasing number of foreign tourists coming to stay in these residential buildings is creating unintentional problems with building residents.
Facing complaints from residents, condominium management associations are scrambling to introduce building bylaws to ban short-term rentals.
Since new bylaws were introduced in The Tokyo Towers complex in Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, residents have found it easier to book the on-site guest suites. The two-tower complex has approximately 2,800 households. Residents can book the 11 guest suites at low rates for when family members or friends come to visit.Read more
Historic Villa in Kobe searching for new owner
The owner of a 93-year old European-style residence in Kobe is looking for a new owner to carry on the home’s legacy. Open days in June and July were arranged for the house by the Heritage House Trust. The conditions of the sale will require the new owner to preserve the structure.
The 2-storey home was built on a hillside position in Higashinada-ku in 1923. It was designed by architect Shichiro Kigo (1884-1955) and built for businessman Jiro Inabata. It was later used as a reception hall for the Miyaji Steamboat Company. In the 1960s, most of the hillside surroundings were subdivided into a housing estate called Okamoto Garden. It was at this time that the current owner’s family purchased the property.Read more