Tokyo Midtown

[Gregory Tenenbaum]

Tokyo Midtown project opens tomorrow, 30 March 2007.

http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Midtown_Project

It will be the tallest building in Tokyo. This Japanologist, although largely ignorant about matters architectural, is excited.

As a fan of "Lost in Translation" and many types of melon and other liqueurs, I am also excited that this building will house the Suntory Museum of Art.

The main building is quite a behemoth in its city. It has a very interesting block like look to it. The whole project is almost like a whole new district and has a number of buildings around the main tower.

Very interesting when you compare it to the design and philosophy of the London towers going up at the moment, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

[ryeler]

why doesn't Tokyo have taller buildings? Is it government restrictions or what?

[alonzo-ny]

why doesn't Tokyo have taller buildings? Is it government restrictions or what?

Earthquakes

[ryeler]

ahhh yes. Sorry, that completely escaped my mind. But is Japan in an area that is worse than taiwan? What about taipai's big metal ball that stabalizes it? Or are they more severe

[alonzo-ny]

i think its worse, dont quote me though, tokyo built laterally because of this but i think now they are starting to go vertical, but definitely slower than a city of that size would be in a non earthquake area. I love to imagine the size of buildings in Tokyo if earthquake wasnt an issue!

[Punzie]

http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/index.html
The few pictures are very nice, but most of the website is literally lost in translation.:o

I searched for up-to-the-minute articles and photos, but the selection and quality were so poor that the internet might as well not exist. As of this post, the two AP photos have an average rating of one star. I won't post them because I'm sure that some beautiful ones will come out soon.

[Gregory Tenenbaum]

Here's the English version for you.

http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/index.html

I must admit my Kanji is a little rusty. You have to practice/read 100 a day or you easily forget them.

Enjoy, with some Suntory whisky if you wish.

[Luca]

...for relaxing time....make it Suntory time....badabing

[Gregory Tenenbaum]

Katto Katto Katto!

Bob San...motto Pashion

The Tokyo Midtown project looks kind of neat. I would buy an apartment there if I knew the price and had the money. Does anyone know whether they were marketed outside of Japan?

[Zephyr]

Boxey towers for this particular development, but an interesting place to view Tokyo.

http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/about/images/about_01.jpg

The website mentions the greeness of the city, but when I was last there I was surprised at how hard it is to find that greenness in concentrated public areas. When found, that greeness is often too manicured for my tastes. This photo above, goes counter to my experiences, and it motivates me to want to return and make a more extensive exploration.

[schwenko]

I was there last month. I really was not impressed; it was winter, so the green space would not be expected to be very lush, and there is no public access above the 4th floor (i.e. no observation deck).
If you want to shop in expensive stores....

Roppongi Hills would be a better choice IMHO.