The World Trade Center Building Corporation hosted a press conference on July 22nd to reveal the details of its redevelopment project in Hamamatsucho, Minato Ward, Tokyo.
A key highlight of the announcement was that the upper floors of the new World Trade Center Building will house Japan's inaugural Raffles Hotel, named "Raffles Tokyo."
Exterior finished CG courtesy of Kajima Corporation.
Originally constructed in 1970, the World Trade Center Building was closed in June 2021. The South Tower, a 38-story structure with three basement levels, opened ahead of the main project in 2021.
Timelapse video of the old World Trade Center demolition that took place from March 2022 to February 2023.
The redevelopment encompasses the main building and the terminal between the main and south buildings, covering a total site area of 16,000 square meters.
The new main building will feature 46 above-ground floors and three basement levels, while the terminal will consist of eight above-ground floors and three basement levels.
Raffles Tokyo: A Pinnacle of Luxury
The top floors (36th to 46th) of the main building will welcome the Raffles Tokyo, a prestigious luxury hotel managed by Accor Hotels, Europe's largest hotel group.
The hotel will offer 130 rooms, each over 60 square meters, three high-end restaurants, two signature bars (the Long Bar and Writers Bar), an indoor pool, a spa, and various other amenities.
The development and operation of the Raffles Tokyo are being spearheaded by Tokyo Tatemono and the World Trade Center Building Corporation.
Cutting-Edge Office Spaces and Amenities
Floors 9 through 34 of the main building will be dedicated to modern, column-free office spaces, each floor covering approximately 850 tsubo (about 2,811 square meters).
These offices will offer panoramic views of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Tower, and the former Shiba Rikyu Garden.
Options for internal staircases will be available for tenants occupying multiple floors.
The fifth floor will feature a multilingual medical center providing general health check-ups, internal medicine, and dental services.
The second floor will house a multilingual kids' center and a tourism experience facility offering both digital and real-world interactions.
Additionally, a taxi pool with space for 29 vehicles will be established on the ground floor.
Dynamic Commercial and Conference Spaces
The terminal between the South Tower and the main building will host a commercial facility operated by retailer Atre on floors 3 to 5, and a conference center capable of accommodating international meetings on the 6th floor.
The ground floor will serve as a bus terminal with 19 bays, and the second floor will be a transport service court.
A rooftop garden on the 7th floor will feature a large lawn area inspired by the pond gardens of former feudal estates, offering a relaxing space for office workers and local residents, as well as an event venue.
During MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events, this space will serve as an outdoor reception area.
A central atrium, dubbed the "Station Core," will enhance accessibility to rail, bus, and taxi services while providing a pleasant pedestrian environment.
A historical look back at the original construction. (Japanese only but still understandable).
Naoya Oshima, Director of Development Planning at the World Trade Center Building Corporation, stated, "In the fierce competition among global cities, our new building aims to create a vibrant and stimulating space where diverse groups of people can interact and engage more than ever before."
The main building and terminal are slated to open in March 2027, with the entire district's development scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2029.
Source:
R.E. Port News (Japanese only)
