A 50-year old apartment building in Tokyo’s Shirokanedai neighborhood will be redeveloped by Hankyu Hanshin Properties. The owners association of the 65-unit building, along with Hankyu, have received an additional floor-area ratio (FAR) allowance from Minato Ward under the condominium redevelopment act.

Mansion Kyoto Shirokanedai is located alongside Meguro Street – a specified emergency transportation road. The 11-story condominium was built in 1971. It does not meet earthquake resistance standards and has been suffering with ageing plumbing and equipment, and water leaks. Apartment owners have struggled to maintain and repair the building in recent years. 

Recognizing the urgent need to do something about the deteriorating building, the apartment owners association selected Hankyu to assist with redevelopment in 2018. The necessary vote in favor of redevelopment from the apartment owners was obtained in August 2020. Demolition of the old building will start this December, with the new building to be completed by summer of 2025.

Minato Ward has a system in place to encourage the redevelopment of older, unsafe apartment buildings. Those that do not meet earthquake resistance standards can receive additional FAR allowances to encourage their redevelopment into safer buildings.

This redevelopment will result in a 133 sqm open space in front of the building along with a 4-meter wide pedestrian pathway. The project has received a bump in the FAR from 482% to 598%, allowing a larger building. That excess floor area can be sold by the developer to cover the reconstruction costs and provide them with their required profit margin. Original apartment owners from the old building may also receive apartments in the new building.

Old BuildingNew Building
BUILDING SIZE5,101 m27,511.28 m2
FLOORS1119 + 1 basement
APARTMENTS6572
FAR482.68%589.98%
BUILTJuly 1971Mid-2025 (expected)
UNIT SIZES45 ~ 84 m242.05 ~ 161.95 m2

Location

3-16-4 Shirokanedai, Minato Ward, Tokyo

Source: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings News Release, May 17, 2021.

Loading