Century Tower (Tokyo)
| Century Tower | |
|---|---|
センチュリータワー | |
 Century Tower in 2012 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | structural expressionism |
| Address | 2-2-9, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan |
| Groundbreaking | December 1988 |
| Completed | May 1991 |
| Owner | Juntendo University |
| Height | 91.1m |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Norman Foster |
| Main contractor | Obayashi Corporation |
The Century Tower is a 21-storey building located in Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo. The building overlooks the River Kanda, with Ochanomizu on the opposite side.
History
The tower was commissioned by Kazuo Akao, the son of publishing tycoon Yoshio Akao, as the headquarters of the Obunsha publishing house.[1] It cost Obunsha 1.8 billion yen to commission British architect Norman Foster to design it and the construction cost the company 23 billion yen. The structure has two main towers with a 72-metre-high atrium between them. This design nearly failed to gain authorisation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare due to Japan's stricter fire safety regulations. However, Obayashi Corporation brought Foster's pan to life by pressurising the air throughout the atrium.[2] The building was completed in May 1991.[3]
During the Lost Decades, the original owner faced financial difficulties and sold the building. In 2007, it was purchased by its current owner, Juntendo University.[4]
References
- ^ "ノーマン・フォスター｜住む前に知っておきたい基本知識｜高級注文住宅百科". 高級注文住宅百科 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ Miyagawa, Yasuyuki (1992). "センチュリータワーの防災計画と防災性能試験" (PDF). 大林組技術研究所報. 45.
- ^ "センチュリータワービル(文京区本郷)のビル情報【オフィスナビ®】". オフィスナビ® (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ 日経不動産マーケット情報 (2009-09-08). "【売買】文京区本郷のセンチュリータワー、順天堂が住友信託銀行グループから取得". 日経不動産マーケット情報 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-11-30.