Japan’s New Skyscraper Reigns Tall and Proud—With Room to Spare for Post-COVID Urban Adventure

Japan's Latest Skyscraper A Towering Success with a Thick Design to cater to the Diverse Needs of a Post-COVID Urban Lifestyle

But the project is more than just a tall tower. For its developer, Mori Building Company, Azabudai Hills is a path to recast Tokyo’s future.

“Tokyo must evolve into a ‘city of choice’ among global players,” Shingo Tsuji, Mori Building’s CEO, says. “Global players are looking for more than just an office environment.” (A recent report from management consultancy firm Kearney ranked Tokyo in fourth place among global cities, behind New York, Paris, and London, despite “declines in business activity and information exchange.”)

And boy, Mori is not holding back. They’re pitching the Azabudai Hills project as a “vertical garden city,” a combination of green space, mixed-use buildings, and public transit on a whopping 872,000 square-foot plot of land. Think of it as a superhero city, like Gotham or Metropolis, but with a lot more plants. This project reflects how city-dwellers want to live in a post-COVID world. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live in a towering oasis?

The architectural firm behind this masterpiece is Pelli Clarke & Partners, led by the legendary Cesar Pelli. These guys know Japan like the back of their hand. They’ve designed iconic structures like the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, Abeno Harukas, and Tokyo’s Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower. They’ve basically left their architectural footprints all over the country.

Now, let’s talk about the Azabudai Hills project itself. It’s a beast of a building, with a floor space that puts other skyscrapers to shame. We’re talking about a floor plan of about 52,000 square feet, compared to the measly 35,000 to 40,000 square feet you’d find in other skyscrapers. It’s like the Hulk among skyscrapers.

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But hold on, it’s not just an office block. This project is comprised of three connected towers – a mixed-use main tower with office, residential, and hotel space, along with two residential towers nearby. It’s like a city within a city. Plus, the architects have managed to achieve the impossible. They’ve created a tall building that doesn’t feel intimidating. In fact, it has a serene and humane presence in the neighborhood. It’s like a gentle giant, reaching upward while embracing the community at the same time. Bravo, architects!

And that’s not all. Get this – one third of the entire space will be a freaking park. Imagine having a park the size of three football fields right at your doorstep. It’s a dream come true! Plus, there’s even space for an orchard and a vegetable garden. They aren’t just building a skyscraper; they’re creating an urban paradise.

The cherry on top is a massive pergola designed by the one and only Thomas Heatherwick. You might remember him from the controversial Vessel structure in New York’s Hudson Yards. Well, he’s back, and this time he’s bringing some wildness back into the heart of the Azabudai Hills project. This place is going to be an architectural wonderland.

But why isn’t Japan caught up in the skyscraper arms race? I mean, Azabudai Hills might be the tallest building in Japan, but globally it doesn’t even crack the top 100. It’s like they’re playing the David in a world of Goliaths. One reason is tradition. They’ve agreed that no building in Japan will be taller than Tokyo Tower, a major communications and observation tower in the city. Another reason is practicality. Japan has earthquakes on the regular, so they have to make sure their buildings can withstand the shakes.

But let’s give credit where credit is due. Asian cities have been embracing mixed-use buildings for a while now, combining office, retail, and residential spaces together. It’s like having your cake and eating it too. People in Asia don’t want to spend their lives commuting; they want everything in one place. And now, Pelli Clarke & Partners are bringing that mixed-use magic to the United States. They’re building a tower on top of Boston’s South Station, and it’s going to be a game-changer. Who needs separate buildings when you can have it all in one?

So, there you have it. Azabudai Hills is not just a tall tower; it’s a vision of Tokyo’s future. It’s a majestic skyscraper surrounded by greenery that will make you feel like you’re living in a superhero city. It’s a place where work, play, and nature converge to create the ultimate urban experience. Tokyo is stepping up its game and showing the world that it’s not just about business; it’s about creating a lifestyle. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to book my ticket to Azabudai Hills.

What are your thoughts on this ambitious project? Would you want to live in a vertical garden city? Let me know in the comments!