Foreign developers caught by zoning regulations in Niseko
Development in parts of Niseko's ski fields is being stalled due to inconsistencies between national and prefectural government building approvals.
In recent years, a number of hotels in Niseko have been purchased by foreign funds, closed down and in many cases demolished. The foreign developers acquired the hotels with the aim of building condominium-type hotels and resort apartments which would then be sold to wealthy foreigners.
However, a number of these sites have been sitting vacant without any signs of construction.
Why the hold up?Read more
Large-scale resort/apartment complex planned for Yokosuka
After sitting idle for almost 25 years, a large-scale resort/apartment complex may finally be built at the eastern side of the City Marina Velasis in Yokosuka. The 8 hectare site was once the Sumitomo Heavy Industries Kawama Factory and ship building yards.
In 1989, Sumitomo's SHI Resort Development planned to build a 700-unit resort condominium complex, but the collapse of the property bubble put their plans on indefinite hold. Sumitomo later sold the land and yacht harbour to Unimat. In 1993, approval was granted to built the Velasis Uraga apartment blocks which were completed in 2001. There were also plans to develop the eastern side, but construction stalled over 10 years ago and the land has remained vacant.Read more
Kyoto Kokusai Hotel to be sold
Fujita Kanko Inc announced that they will close the Kyoto Kokusai Hotel at the end of 2014 and sell the building and land. The hotel, which opened in 1961, overlooks the Nijo Castle in the centre of Kyoto. Read more
Yaesu Fujiya Hotel to be redeveloped
The Yaesu Fujiya Hotel by Tokyo Station will close at the end of March 2014 as the Kokusai Kogyo Group plan to sell the building and land to Sumitomo Realty & Development in April.
Sumitomo are expected to demolish the hotel and redevelop the site into an office building.
Hotels worried about new earthquake-retrofitting obligations
From November, large-scale buildings such as hotels built before 1981 will be obligated to ensure that their buildings meet current earthquake-resistant codes.
Building inspections must be carried out before the end of 2015, after which the results will be made public. This has left some hotels worried that guests will avoid places that receive a low score. However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) says that this information is necessary for hotel guests.Read more
Konami acquires Hotel Seiyo Ginza building
Gaming company Konami Corporation have purchased the Hotel Seiyo Ginza building from Tokyo Theatres for 17.8 billion Yen (180 million USD). Konami plans to convert the hotel into commercial space to be used as gaming development offices. Some of their 3,000 staff in Roppongi will relocate to the Ginza location. They will also develop event spaces which can be used to hold gaming conventions.
The 12 storey building has a total floor area of approximately 19,000 sqm (204,000 sqft) and is on a 2254 sqm block of land. The hotel was opened at the beginning of Japan's bubble in 1987. The 77-room hotel was the first in Japan to offer concierge services. In 2000, Seiyo Corporation filed for bankruptcy and the building was sold to Tokyo Theatres Co. Read more
A look at the demolition of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka
The demolition of the 140m tall Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka is underway with the building now standing at three-quarters of its original height.
The work is being carried out by a joint venture between Taisei Corporation and Seibu Construction using the 'Taisei Ecological Reproduction System' (Teco-Rep System). Assistant Director of Taisei's Construction Engineering Development Department, Mr. Hideki Ichihara, explains the process:Read more