Roppongi 5 Chome redevelopment progress reflects changing construction environment in Japan
- Adam German
- 15 minutes ago
- 3 min read
According to the Nikkei Shimbun on March 9th, Mori Building is moving closer to launching the next major redevelopment phase in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, advancing the Roppongi 5-chome West District Project together with Sumitomo Realty & Development.
Finished tower exteriors CG renderings courtesy of the Cabinet Office proposal; pdf of which is linked at the bottom of this article.
Urban planning approval for the project was secured in 2024, and the developers are now refining construction schedules and cost estimates as preparations move toward the next stage. That process includes establishing a redevelopment association and securing approval for the project’s rights conversion plan before construction can begin.
Related Content: Roppongi 5 Chome West set for 700 billion yen redevelopment project (Patience Realty, March 2024)
However, the original fiscal 2030 completion target is becoming increasingly difficult to meet. Mori Building President Shingo Tsuji, whilst speaking generally without specifics, said in the Nikkei Shimbun interview that rising construction costs and a shortage of skilled workers are placing pressure on both timelines and budgets, reflecting broader challenges facing Japan’s large-scale redevelopment sector.
To manage those pressures, Mori Building began involving general contractors earlier in the planning process. Contractors are now asked to submit technical proposals during the design stage, allowing developers to examine more efficient construction methods and identify cost reductions in collaboration with contractors and equipment suppliers while maintaining building quality.
The project itself will follow Mori Building’s established model of compact, mixed-use districts, similar to developments such as Roppongi Hills, Toranomon Hills, and Azabudai Hills.
Two towers are planned for the roughly 100,000-square-meter site, including a main tower rising to about 330 meters. The development will incorporate a 16,000-square-meter elevated green space, with the main tower expected to include observation areas, cultural facilities, and an underground hall. Retail space is also planned to exceed the scale of that at Azabudai Hills.
The partnership with Sumitomo Realty reflects a broader shift toward joint development among major Japanese real estate firms as projects grow larger and more complex. Both companies have decades of experience assembling land and negotiating with property owners in dense urban districts, making collaboration increasingly common for projects of this scale.
Beyond Roppongi, Mori Building is also advancing redevelopment plans for the Toranomon 3-chome area, where aging buildings commonly known as the “Numbers Buildings” may be replaced by a new mixed-use complex. The project would cover roughly 40,000 square meters and could include offices, retail, a hotel, residences, cultural facilities, and landscaped public space.
Meanwhile, Mori Building’s newest flagship district, Azabudai Hills - fully completed in 2025 - has continued to gain momentum since its phased opening. Visitor numbers and tenant revenue have steadily increased, with hotels and cultural facilities attracting significant numbers of visitors from Europe and the United States while Japanese visitors still account for more than half of overall traffic.
The company is also working to strengthen connections among its various “Hills” developments across Minato Ward through digital integration and coordinated programming. Since opening in 2003, Roppongi Hills has recorded new annual tenant revenue records each year, reflecting rising sales generated by its retail, restaurant, and hospitality businesses.
Once completed, the Roppongi 5-chome West project - alongside other redevelopment initiatives in the area - is expected to further strengthen Minato Ward’s position as one of Tokyo’s leading urban districts.
Source:
Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)
