Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎, Tōkyō-to Chōsha), also referred to as Tochō (都庁) for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs the special wards, cities, towns and villages that constitutes the whole Tokyo Metropolis.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
東京都庁舎
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1
General information
StatusComplete
TypePrefecture building
Location2-8-1 Nishishinjuku,
Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001 Japan
Coordinates35°41′23″N 139°41′32″E
Construction startedApril 1988
CompletedDecember 1990
OpeningApril 1991
Cost¥157 billion
OwnerTokyo Metropolitan Government
Height
Roof242.9 meters [797 ft][1]
Technical details
Floor count48
Floor area195,764 m2 [2,107,190 sq ft]
Design and construction
ArchitectKenzo Tange
Structural engineerKiyoshi Mutō

Located in Shinjuku, the building was designed by architect Kenzo Tange. It consists of a complex of three structures, each taking up a city block. The tallest of the three is Tokyo Metropolitan Main building No.1, a tower 48 stories tall that splits into two sections at the 33rd floor. The building also has three levels below ground. The design of the building was meant to resemble an integrated circuit,[2] while also evoking the look of a Gothic cathedral.

The other two buildings in the complex are the eight-story Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building (including one underground floor) and Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No.2, which has 37 stories including three below ground.

The two panoramic observation decks, one in each tower on floor 45 (202 meters [663 ft] high), are free of charge to the public and contain gift shops and cafes.[3] The observation decks are open between 9:30 – 23:00, but the two observation decks alternate the dates they are open.[4]

History

The building was designed by Kenzo Tange and finished in December 1990 at the expense of ¥157 billion (about US$ 1 billion) of public money. It replaced the old city hall at Yūrakuchō, which was built in 1957 and also designed by Tange, is now the site of the Tokyo International Forum.

It was the tallest building by roof height in Tokyo, at 242.9 meters [797 ft],[1] until the Midtown Tower was completed in 2007.

See also
  • List of tallest buildings and structures in Tokyo

References
  1. "Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 1". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  2. Kenzo Tange: Multifaceted Colossus Who Mirrored the Era (in Japanese). Nikkei Architecture – Nikkei BP. 2005. p. 118. ISBN 4-8222-0476-6.
  3. "Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories". Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. "About Tokyo Government Building – Tokyo Travel Guide | Planetyze". Planetyze. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
Records
Preceded by
Sunshine 60		 Tallest building in Japan
243 m (797 ft)
1990–1993		 Succeeded by
Yokohama Landmark Tower
Tallest building in Tokyo
243 m (797 ft)
1990–2007		 Succeeded by
Midtown Tower
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