Procter & Gamble Japan to sell Rokko Island HQ

P&G Japan Rokko Island BuildingProcter & Gamble Japan announced on January 8 that they will be selling their head office building in Rokko Island, Kobe, for an undisclosed sum. The buyer is Kobe-based trading and consulting firm Kengoo Group. 

The 30-storey building was completed in 1993. It has a total floor area of 43,500 sqm and is on a 7100 sqm block of land.

P&G will continue renting the building from the new owner before relocating to a new office in Sannomiya in early 2016.

Source: The Kobe Shimbun, January 8, 2014.


Kobe's Jonas Residence to be torn down after sale falls through

Kobe Shioya Jonas ResidenceThe final bid to save the former Jonas Residence in Shioya, Kobe, from demolition has failed after the possible buyer backed out of discussions.

In late September a renewable energy-related company began negotiations with the seller - developer Anabuki Kosan - to purchase the historic house and land. Unfortunately the two parties could not come to an agreement on the sale price and the buyer walked away from the deal on October 10.Read more


Kobe Jonas Residence to be purchased by energy company

The 94-year old Jonas Residence in Kobe may have been saved from demolition as a renewable energy company have entered into negotiations to purchase the property at the eleventh hour.

Earlier this year it was announced that the historic property would be demolished to make way for a 12-storey apartment building. Local preservationists sprung into action and convinced the owner/developer Anabuki Kosan to postpone demolition. Anabuki agreed that they would delay demolition until October, and would consider selling the property for 360 million Yen if a buyer was found by the end of September. Read more


Last chance to save the Jonas Residence

Demolition of the historic Jonas Residence has been pushed back to October as the current owner is prepared to sell the house and land for 360 million Yen (approximately 3.6 million USD) if a buyer can be found.

Developer Anabuki Kosan purchased the waterfront property earlier this year and plan to tear it down and replace it with a 10-storey apartment building.Read more


Kobe City to urge developer to protect Jonas Residence

The local assembly of the Kobe City Council have accepted a petition submitted by local residents fighting to save the former Jonas Residence in Kobe from demolition.

The property was recently purchased by a developer who has plans to demolish it and replace it with an apartment building. The developer has already postponed demolition until the end of June, but the committee will put pressure on the council to urge the developer to preserve the building or at least postpone demolition to a later date. Read more


Former Jonas Residence in Kobe facing possible demolition

The Jonas Residence in Shioya-cho, Tarumi-ku, Kobe, may soon be demolished and replaced with a 10-storey apartment building.

The 2-storey waterfront residence was built in 1919 for British trader Frederick/Frank Maurice Jonas. It was later sold to Mr. Sakunosuke Yamada, a lawyer for Kawasaki Heavy Industries.Read more


Kobe City sells part of Harborland to developer

Kobe City has sold part of the Kobe Harborland site to Itochu Corporation.

A 4200 sqm block of land in Higashi Kawasakicho 1 Chome was sold for 3.12 billion Yen (38 million USD). Itochu are planning to build a condominium on the site. Under the arrangement, the condominium will include a nursery school.Read more