According to the Nikkei Shimbun on February 14th, a major Gifu Station redevelopment project is facing delays of up to two years, with the west tower being reduced from 34 to approximately 20 stories due to soaring material and labor costs.
The redevelopment association announced the revisions on the 14th citing financial constraints that made the original plans unfeasible.
Exterior CG renderings courtesy of the developers.
Located just north of JR Gifu Station, the "Twin Towers" project launched in 2023 with separate redevelopment associations for the east and west districts.
Initially, both towers were designed with commercial spaces on the first two floors, office spaces on floors three to five, and residential units above.
Nomura Real Estate is overseeing the west tower’s condominiums, while Sekisui House is developing the east tower.
Related Content: Latest large-scale Japan redevelopments delayed due to rising build costs (published October 2024)
The east tower will remain close to its original 30-story design, with demolition of the existing structures expected to begin in fiscal 2025, followed by construction. Completion is targeted for fiscal 2029.
The downsized west tower, requiring structural revisions, is now set for fiscal 2030 - one to two years later than the initial 2028 goal.
Tokai Terebi NEWS ONE spot on the redevelopment changes giving an overview of the development near Gifu Station. Japanese language audio only with auto-translated English provided by YouTube.
Once a bustling textile wholesale district, the redevelopment site has struggled with rising vacancy rates following the industry’s decline. Property owners eventually united to push forward the Twin Towers project, aiming to revitalize the area.
The project's outcome is seen as pivotal for the future of central Gifu City. The nearby Yanagase district, once a major commercial hub, has been in decline, exacerbated by the 2024 closure of Takashimaya Gifu, the prefecture’s only department store.
Meanwhile, the Tamamiya district, situated between Yanagase and Gifu Station, has seen a resurgence with new restaurants and nightlife venues drawing young crowds.
City officials originally hoped, and still do despite the alterations, that if the Twin Towers successfully attract visitors, they will boost foot traffic, extend visitor stays, and strengthen connections between key districts.
Source:
Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)
