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
Nakagin Capsule Tower Demolition Plans
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
Nakagin Capsule on display at Roppongi Hills
As part of Mori Art Museum's latest exhibition called "Metabolism, The City of the Future", a Nakagin Capsule is currently on display outside Mori Crosspoint along Roppongi Dori avenue. The capsule is identical to the ones used in the Nakagin Capsule Tower Building in Ginza. Read more about the apartment building here. There is also a display capsule at the bottom of the Nakagin Capsule Tower.Read more
Nakagin Capsule Tower Building
The Nakagin Capsule Tower Building built 1970-1972 is a famous example of Japan’s metabolist movement. Now almost 39 years old, the deteriorating building is plagued with water leaks and asbestos problems.Read more