Tokyo Torch

Tokyo Torch is a large-scale redevelopment district near Tokyo Station in Tokyo, Japan.[1][2] It will consist of two skyscrapers:

In addition to the skyscrapers, the district will have two other buildings. In total, it will cover a 31,400-square-meter area near the Marunouchi commercial district. Seeing a strong demand for office space, developer Mitsubishi Estate said it was building the district to create renewed interest in the area as a business destination.[2][3]

Tokyo Torch will also include a large plaza, the Tokyo Torch Terrace, for visitors and employees who work in the towers. It was initially open in 2021 as a 3,000-square meter open space with turf and cherry blossoms,[4] but will be expanded to a 7,000-square meter plaza in 2027 to fill the space between the buildings.[5] Developers said plans for the outdoor spaces were expanded in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Tokyo Torch will be directly connected to Ōtemachi subway station, which is right next to Tokyo Station. When construction is complete, the district will include an underground pedestrian walkway which connects people to nearby transportation hubs.[7]

On September 17, 2020, it was announced that the name of the redevelopment area had been decided as "Tokyo Torch", and the official names of the skyscrapers as "Tokiwabashi Tower" and "Torch Tower".[8] The name, "Tokyo Torch", was chosen in the hope that it will "illuminate Japan", in particular the Torch Tower, which will have a torch-inspired design.[9][10] The project is expected to cost about ¥500 billion (4.77 billion U.S. dollars).[11]

Project schedule

  • 2017
    • Start of demolition of buildings on the planned construction site of the Tokiwabashi Tower.
  • 2018
    • Completion of demolition work on the site of the Tokiwabashi Tower.
    • Start of construction of the Tokiwabashi Tower.[12]
  • 2021
    • Completion of the Tokiwabashi Tower.[12]
    • Start of demolition of buildings on the planned construction site of the Torch Tower.[8]
  • 2023
    • Completion of demolition work on the site of the Torch Tower.[8]
    • Start of construction of the Torch Tower.[12]
  • 2027
    • Completion of the Torch Tower.[12]
    • Completion of the plaza.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Tokyo Torch" (PDF). Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei. July 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Japan's tallest skyscraper "Torch Tower" to be built in Tokyo". Kyodo News.
  3. ^ Kato, Koichi (August 11, 2017). "Japan's tallest building won't be a towering risk: CEO". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Steen, Emma (August 11, 2021). "Tokyo Torch Terrace, part of Japan's soon-to-be tallest building, is now open". Time Out. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Tokiwabashi Tower".
  6. ^ 日本一高いビルが東京駅前に 詳細発表
  7. ^ 東京駅前に新街区「トウキョウトーチ」。高さ390m「Torch Tower」
  8. ^ a b c "東京駅前常盤橋プロジェクトの街区名称を「TOKYOTORCH（トウキョウトーチ）」に決定" [Tokyo Ekimae Tokiwabashi Project Block Name Decided to be “Tokyo Torch”] (PDF). Mitsubishi Estate Company (in Japanese). September 17, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-05-24. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Japan's next tallest building to be finished in FY 2027
  10. ^ Crook, Lizzie (January 28, 2021). "Sou Fujimoto Architects and Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei to design crown for Japan's tallest skyscraper". Dezeen. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  11. ^ 東京駅前にトーチタワー 日本最高390メートル
  12. ^ a b c d e "Tokyo Torch". Mitsubishi Estate Office Information. Retrieved October 1, 2022.