One capsule, and maybe more, in Nakagin Capsule Tower Building to be saved
With demolition on the horizon, there are some glimmers of hope that at least one of the 140-odd capsules in the iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower Building might just be spared from the trash heap.
The goal of one of the preservation groups is to save capsule A-606, both the capsule unit itself and its original interior. There are also plans to build a custom trailer so that the capsule can be towed around to various locations, such as museums, galleries, and universities allowing Kisho Kurokawa’s legacy to be appreciated by all. The estimated cost just to save this one capsule and make it mobile is around 6.5 million Yen (approx. US$59,000).
Nakagin Capsule Tower to be demolished from March 2022
The iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower in Ginza, designed by the late and great Kisho Kurokawa, will reportedly be demolished from March 2022. After years of disagreement, the capsules owners decided to sell the 49-year old condo-style apartment building to a real estate company this spring. That company will demolish it and build something new in its place.
Iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower's final curtain call as decision made to sell
The iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower building in Ginza is reaching the final stages of its saga as the capsule owners have voted in favor to sell off the building and land leasehold rights. The few remaining residents will move out in the coming weeks, leaving the dystopian landmark empty and awaiting an uncertain fate.
Nakagin Capsule Tower could be spared from demolition
According to Jiji Press, the Nakagin Capsule Tower apartment building, a surviving icon of Japan’s metabolism movement in the 1970s, may soon have a savior in the form of a foreign corporation that is looking to acquire the land rights.
Nakagin Capsule Tower edging closer to demolition
One of the leading examples of Japan’s metabolist school of architecture - Nakagin Capsule Tower - is inching closer towards a potential fate of demolition after the land under the building recently changed hands.
On June 29, the land underneath the Nakagin Capsule Tower building was sold to CTB GK, a limited liability company established only earlier that month. The sale included the land, the 1st floor retail space, 2nd floor office space, 16 capsules and two buildings behind the Capsule Tower. The seller was Nakagin Group, the developer of the building. The new owner promptly informed the chairperson of the apartment owners association of their intent to redevelop the site. Read more
Nakagin Capsule Tower to undergo earthquake-resistant inspection
The results of an earthquake-resistant inspection could soon determine the fate of Ginza’s Nakagin Capsule Tower.
At an owner’s association meeting in early December 2015, the majority voted in favour of carrying out an earthquake-resistance inspection to determine the structural integrity of the building. If the building does not meet earthquake codes, the owners will consider demolishing the 44-year old metabolist landmark.Read more
Prices down, yields up in Nakagin Capsule Tower
Prices of 'capsules' in the Nakagin Capsule Tower have fallen significantly over the past four years, but rents have remained relatively stable, leading to a boost in rental returns.
In 2008, capsules were priced as high as 6 million Yen each. Now they can be bought for between 2 and 3 million Yen (21,000 ~ 32,000 USD) each. The average monthly maintenance, repair fund and land rent fees (the building is on leasehold land) totals approximately 17,300 Yen for each unit.Read more