About Azabudai Hills? The Tallest Building in Japan with Luxury Residences
The much-anticipated “Azabudai Hills” is scheduled to open on November 24, 2023. Mori Building, known for its development of Roppongi Hills, invested a staggering 580 billion yen in this project.
Azabudai Hills is Japan’s tallest building and has garnered considerable attention for being home to the country’s most expensive condominiums, among other highlights.
I reside right in front of Azabudai Hills, and the top photograph was taken from my balcony.
Let me provide an overview of the Azabudai Hills.
Almost Completion of Azabudai Hills
Mori Building, the renowned real estate developer behind Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills, is responsible for Azabudai Hills’ planning and operation. The company has also been involved in the development of buildings worldwide, including the Shanghai World Financial Center, completed in 2008.
Azabudai Hills is a massive project that has been in progress for 35 years, with a total cost of 580 billion yen. It has been designated as an area of particular importance for enhancing international competitiveness, entitling it to benefits such as legal provisions and financial support.
The name “Azabudai Hills” was finalized as recently as December 2022. The name “Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower” was announced around January 2023; it was referred to as the “Toranomon Azabudai Project” until recently.
As of October 2023, the construction progress for Azabudai Hills is approximately 70% complete. The only remaining construction is the Azabudai Hills Residence B, which stands at a height of 270 meters.
In a press conference held in August 2023, the opening date for Azabudai Hills (November 24, 2023) and the list of commercial facilities were announced. Subsequently, media coverage has increased, focusing on Azabudai Hills as “Japan’s tallest skyscraper” and the “ultra-luxurious condominiums worth 30 billion yen!?”
Overview of Azabudai Hills’Buildings and Facilities
The site covers approximately 63,900 square meters, making it one of the largest in Minato Ward. Azabudai Hills is located in close proximity to business centers like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, as well as popular tourist attractions like Tokyo Tower and Azabu-Juban Shopping Street.
The construction companies and designs vary by area. Among the many high-rise buildings in Minato Ward, three buildings within Azabudai Hills rank in the top 10.
Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower
The standout structure in Azabudai Hills is the “Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower,” often referred to as the “Mori JP Tower.” This tower stands at a height of 330 meters, making it the tallest building in Japan. It significantly surpasses Osaka’s previous record-holder, the “Abeno Harukas” (300 meters in height).
This building houses the “Keio University Hospital Preventive Medical Center,” as well as commercial facilities and office space. The top floors (54th to 64th) are occupied by the “Aman Residences Tokyo.” Adjacent to this building is the “British School in Tokyo.”
While this building serves a significant role as an office building within Azabudai Hills, the current occupancy rate is approximately 50%, with many vacant offices. This is attributed to the widespread adoption of teleworking and the project’s delayed opening, which was over six months behind schedule.
Azabudai Hills Residence A and B
“Azabudai Hills Residence A & B” predominantly serve as residential buildings. Out of Azabudai Hills’ total of 1,400 units, these two buildings comprise around 1,300 units, forming a substantial condominium complex.
“Azabudai Hills Residence B” is a high-rise building, reaching 270 meters in height. As of October 2023, it’s the most delayed in terms of construction progress. Partial issues with construction material procurement have significantly affected the delays in construction for Azabudai Hills.
“Azabudai Hills Residence A” is a high-rise building at 240 meters in height, housing approximately 320 units. The first through thirteenth floors are going to be occupied by the luxury hotel “Janu Tokyo.” The exterior of Azabudai Hills Residence A is nearly complete, with some interior work in progress.
A large central plaza stretches between these two residence buildings. Reflecting the concept of a “city-like plaza enveloped in greenery, connecting people,” the central plaza is vast, covering over 6,000 square meters, which is roughly 10% of the total site area.
Beneath the central plaza is the “teamLab Borderless,” a highly anticipated attraction at Azabudai Hills. teamLab is known for its events worldwide, and this seems to be a permanent exhibition.
Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza
Distinguished by its innovative design, the “Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza” features four low-rise buildings spanning from the 3rd to 8th floors. These buildings will host a mix of residences, office space, and even a temple.
The notable aspect of this complex is its roof, which features an unconventional, museum-like design. It’s designed by Thomas Heatherwick, known for his work on the London Olympics. Situated closest to Tokyo Tower within Azabudai Hills, this striking design, coupled with the allure of Tokyo Tower, positions it as the entrance to Azabudai Hills.
Luxury brands like Hermes, Cartier, and Bulgari are going to establish stores here. Below this area, you’ll find the “Azabudai Hills Market,” offering a variety of dining options, supermarkets, and specialty bakeries.
The Origin of the Name ‘Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower’
The name “Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower” is derived from the “Azabu Post Office”. While Mori Building’s Hills Brand typically employs the format “○○ Hills Mori Tower,” the addition of “JP” in “Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower” signifies its connection with Japan Post.
As of my move to Azabu Juban in February 2018, the “Azabu Post Office” was still operational, characterized by its beautiful brick design. Construction began around the summer of 2019, making the construction schedule particularly tight.
During this period, several unexpected events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and steep yen depreciation leading to soaring raw material costs, have occurred. Despite these challenges, Mori Building and the construction companies managed to bring the project to its current state in just two to three years.
In Conclusion
Azabudai Hills is a significant project that spanned 35 years of development and a total cost of 580 billion yen. It is set to open partially on November 24, 2023, with commercial operations expected to commence in January 2024.
The record-breaking height of 330 meters for Azabudai Hills is likely to stand for quite some time. This is due to stringent height restrictions imposed by the proximity of Haneda and Narita airports in Tokyo and the seismic nature of Japan, where even with advanced earthquake-resistant technology, there are inherent limitations.
Furthermore, the title of Japan’s most luxurious condominium might remain unchallenged. Rumor has it that all units have already been sold, and there are even reports of a Japanese buyer acquiring the most expensive penthouse in the building.
With the opening of Azabudai Hills, it holds the potential to become one of Japan’s popular tourist destinations.