Nippon Steel and Nomura break ground on Aoyama Itchome project

Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate and Nomura Real Estate Development announced that construction began on June 1st for the Akasaka 7-chome 2-banchi District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project, a major mixed-use development in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.

Both companies are participating members of the Akasaka 7-Chome 2-Banchi Redevelopment Association leading the initiative.

Finished exterior CG rendering courtesy of Nippon Steel Kowa press release, linked at bottom of this article.

The approximately 1.2-hectare redevelopment site is located a six-minute walk from Aoyama-Itchome Station, served by the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Toei Oedo Line.

Area relational map with development land in red. Courtesy of Nippon Steel Kowa press release, edited by Patience Realty.

The project borders the Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Park on the opposite side from the Canadian Embassy and previously housed three outdated apartment buildings that no longer met current earthquake resistance standards.

Development profile diagram courtesy of Nippon Steel Kowa press release, edited by Patience Realty.

The centerpiece of the project is a 46-story tower with one basement level, rising to a height of roughly 157 meters. Designed as a comprehensive mixed-use facility, the building will include:

• 643 residential units

• Office space

• Designated space for a vocational school

• Retail shops to support daily living

The total floor area will be approximately 87,912 square meters, with a building footprint of about 5,017 square meters.

A key objective of the redevelopment is to improve urban safety and infrastructure in a high-density central Tokyo district. The project includes:

• Widening of surrounding roads and burying of power lines

  
  

• Emergency preparedness features such as temporary shelter for stranded commuters, disaster stockpile storage, and backup generators

  
  

• Barrier-free pedestrian pathways to improve accessibility and circulation within the area

  
  

• Integration with Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Park, including new green spaces and public plazas that create a continuous green network

The development aims to fill a gap in the surrounding community by introducing lifestyle-support services and daily-use retail that have traditionally been lacking in the area.

By replacing aging, low-density housing stock with a thoughtfully designed, high-rise mixed-use development, the project also addresses the broader issue of urban renewal in Tokyo’s central wards.

The development is designed by Nikken Sekkei, with detailed design and construction handled by a joint venture of Shimizu Corporation and Nikken Sekkei.

Shimizu Corporation also serves as construction manager.

Sources:

R.E. Port News (Japanese only)

Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Press Release (Japanese only)