Developers to capitalize on aging apartments

Major real estate developers are expanding their apartment re-development business in anticipation of huge demand for reconstruction in the coming years. Both Nomura Real Estate and Tokyo Tatemono are currently converting low-rise old apartment blocks into large-scale developments that are built to the latest earthquake-codes and energy standards.Read more


Nakagin Capsule Tower Demolition Plans

Nakagin Capsule Tower Tokyo

The management association of the 40 year old Nakagin Capsule Tower in Ginza are moving forward with plans to demolish and rebuild the metabolist structure.

Although no final date has been set, demolition and reconstruction plans have been in the pipeline since 2007. Back in 2005, the architect, Kisho Kurokawa, and Taisei Corporation put forward a plan to replace the aging capsules with new ones. This was in line with Kurokawa's initial concept for the building, whereby all capsules were designed to be interchangeable and replaceable. However, it seems more likely that it will be replaced with a nondescript building.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


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


Kepco demolishing old head office in Osaka

The Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) announced that they will be demolishing and rebuilding their former head office in Osaka from April 2012. Completion of the new building is scheduled for April, 2014.Read more


Chateau Mita to be demolished

The Chateau Mita apartment building in Mita, Minato-ku, is going to be demolished in March. The reason for demolition and reconstruction is because the 48 year old building was deteriorating. Reconstruction negotiations with the residents began in 2004.

During the 1960s and 1970s, several "Chateau" apartments were built in Tokyo. They were all developed by Kurokawa Kensetsu. Many of the "Chateau" series of vintage apartments are valued higher than other lesser apartments of the same age.Read more


Proposed law to reduce minimum voting rights for reconstruction

The number of aging apartment buildings in Japan that need to be rebuilt in the near future is growing at a rapid pace, yet actual reconstruction projects are seriously lagging.

These projects are frequently stalled as the body-corporate meetings can take up to 10 years before any agreement is reached. This is due in part to the laws which require over 80% of apartment owners to agree to reconstruction. Older buildings tend to have older residents who are happy to stay where they are and don't want to relocate to temporary accommodation for 3 years while awaiting their new home. Other setbacks include a lack of funds for the project and owners with low incomes who cannot afford to take on any additional financial burdens.Read more