Torch Tower Tokyo, a $4.8bn development, will be Japan’s tallest skyscraper

The construction of what will soon become the tallest building in Japan was recently begun. The building, known as the Torch Tower skyscraper, will cost $4.8 billion and will stand at a height of 390m, near Tokyo Station. The architectural design, created by Sou Fujimoto Architects, features a distinctive crown with a wave-like structure meant to resemble the appearance of a torch's flames.

The Torch Tower is an integral part of a broader urban development plan known as the Tokyo Torch, which is implemented on a site located to the north of the city's railway station. It is mentioned that the overarching goal of this masterplan is to create an urban district that brings vibrancy and vitality to Japan.

Mitsubishi will be the developer, having already successfully completed the initial component of this plan, the 212m Tokiwabashi Tower. Torch Tower is scheduled for completion by March 2028 and once it is finished, it will soar 65m higher than the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower. The latter is part of a $4.4 billion development in central Tokyo, which is set to be finished next month.

Despite its considerable height, the building has a substantial massing. Specifically, it boasts a gross floor area of 544,000m2, which is 1.75 times larger than the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest skyscraper. This space allows the building to house a 2,000-seat entertainment hall, a Dorchester Collections hotel between floors 57 to 61, as well as office spaces. However, the most remarkable feature is an eye-catching hill-like observation deck and a public plaza, incorporated into a section of the building's facade. The latter provides breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay.