Tokyo World Gate tops out in Toranomon

Mori Trust’s ‘Tokyo World Gate’ project in Toranomon, Tokyo, topped out earlier this month. The 180-meter tall mixed-use tower is expected to open in March 2020, forming an important piece of Toranomon’s transformation into a global business hub. 

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Hotel Okura to replace South Wing annex with high-rise apartments and office

The last vestige of Hotel Okura’s modernist presence is in line to be demolished as redevelopment plans surface for the Hotel Okura Tokyo’s annex (South Wing). 

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Tokyo’s office vacancies hit 27-year low

The average office vacancy rate across central Tokyo’s main business districts dropped to the 1% range in November, according to office brokerage Miki Shoji. This is the lowest rate since the end of the bubble economy in 1991 which saw a vacancy rate of 1.79%.

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Nihonbashi’s redevelopment projects between now and 2035

Tokyo’s historic Nihonbashi district continues to transform with several major redevelopments planned between now and 2035. In addition to these new high-rises, there are also plans to move the unsightly aboveground expressway underground, restoring the Nihonbashi river to its original state.

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Yaesu 2-Chome redevelopment project to have minor but curious residential component

Construction of the Yaesu 2-Chome North District Category-I Urban Redevelopment Project officially started on December 3. Completion is scheduled for August 2022.

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FrancFranc to open store in historic townhouse in Gion, Kyoto

Home goods store FrancFranc will open their Masterrecipe branded flagship store in a traditional townhouse in Kyoto’s Gion district today.

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Office rents on the rise as Shibuya returns as Japan’s IT hub

The major redevelopment projects currently underway around Shibuya Station are, as expected, pushing up office rents. The announcement that Google Japan will relocate their head office to the recently completed Shibuya Steam building next year has heralded the return of Shibuya as Japan’s ‘Bit Valley’ and has been the driving force behind the district’s booming office market.

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