66 Project / Mega Complex Urban Redevelopment Project

Summary of speech by Mr. Yamamoto, Mori Building Corporation

GLOCOM, Views From Japan Discussion
May 25, 1999

Mori Bldg. has been proceeding with a mega complex urban redevelopment project at Roppongi 6 chome area in Tokyo. We believe that we need to change Tokyo drastically by transforming the image of our city from a "low-rise proliferated city" to a "high-rise centralized city". We call this reformation "the Urban New Deal Policy" and hope that completing this project will revitalize the city of Tokyo. The 66 project was first launched in 1986 and to be completed in 2003. It has taken 14 to 15 years to be able to start the construction in the year 2000, since the procedures such as getting approval of the plan from the local government and also making mutual consent among 400 people involved such as the landowners, the leaseholders are taking so much time.

The aim of the 66 Project is to establish a new cultural urban center for the 21^st Century Tokyo consisting mainly of residential, commercial and cultural facilities. We hope to realize our new concept of urban redevelopment in this project, offering the new life style of the new century harmonizing the functions for living, business, leisure and culture. The site comprises approx. 11 hectares and will have a total floor approx. 700,000sq. meters. It is about 2 times as Ark Hills and it will be the largest urban redevelopment project in Japan. As Tokyo's new business and cultural center for the 21^st Century, 66 project will offer an environment, suitable for engagement of business and various cultural activities by providing the following facilities:

The main office tower has 54 stories above ground and a total floor area of about 370,000 sq. meters. Its highly individual and refined exterior which designed by Kohn Pedersen & Fox will make it a new landmark both in Roppongi and in Tokyo as a whole. The tower containing the art center, restaurants and retail stores will enhance the living of people working in the office building in various ways. The office floor area of about 5,500sq. meters, providing value-added office space with highly sophisticated functions to meet all requirements of leading companies.

We have started to work with Hyatt group to create the five-star city hotel. The Grand Hyatt hotel tower will be situated besides the main office tower. The hotel has 21 stories with total floor area of 52,000sq. meters. There are 400 guest rooms, where the size of the standard room is about 40sq. meters. There will be five different types of restaurants in our hotel including a beautiful rooftop garden restaurant.

The Mori Art Center located at the top of the main office tower is the symbol of this project. The unique structure contains an observation space so that visitors can appreciate modern and contemporary art from all over the world while enjoying a magnificent view of the Tokyo cityscape. A performing theater, a cinema complex and an educational center will be created as the cultural core of the project.

There will be four residential buildings ranging from a 5 story low-rise building to a 43 story super high-rise buildings. A total of 840 units with a combined area of 93,000 sq. meters. The exterior is designed by Terrence Conran.

There will be three attractive shopping and retail zones in the site. The East Loop is the passage lined with open-air cafes and other facilities where people can enjoy the natural environment. The West Loop running from the station plaza to the hotel has been designed as a galleria-style shopping space with image of European style shopping arcade. The main street which we call East-West street is the 400 meters sloped road lined with sophisticated shops, restaurants and rich greenery.

The TV Asahi Broadcasting Center, designed by Fumihiko Maki will be reborn as a 21^st Century media base. To respond to the needs of the new age of multimedia communications, the Center will be equipped with all the latest broadcasting equipment needed for the global information.

Regarding infrastructure, an extensive road traffic network will be created by linking Loop No. 3 with Roppongi street and by building an arterial road passing through the project area. The Station Plaza forms the main entrance to the project area and functions as the connecting point with Roppongi crossroads. We will have The Station Plaza linked with the Roppongi subway station by the pedestrian passage, making it easier for many visitors to have access to the site. We will preserve the pond and green area that were once part of the Mouri family estate in creating a pleasant urban environment.

When the land values has not been rising, investment on a urban redevelopment project can be considered very risky. However I strongly believe that now is the time to redevelop the city, which will create the added value to its land. To establish infrastructures and to accomplish high-potential urban redevelopment, such as the 66 project are the essential factors for revitalizing the city of Tokyo. If we could complete the 66 project, Tokyo will be able to establish the position as the business center of Asia in the international competition among mega-cities and I believe that Japan will enjoy its mature era that is full of vitality with positive attitude.

Thank you.