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Landmark Sony Building in Ginza to be demolished in 2017

13 Comments

Sony Corp says its historic landmark Sony Building in Tokyo’s posh shopping district Ginza will be torn down at the end of March 2017.

Following the demolition, the site will be used as park space for music and sports events between 2018 and 2020, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sankei Shimbun reported. The company further revealed that it will begin constructing a new building after the fall of 2020, with plans for completion in 2022.

The famous building, which stands at a strategic location in the district, overseeing the Sukiyabashi crossing, opened in 1966 under the direction of Sony co-founder Akio Morita, who wished to open “a building serving as a gate to Ginza.”

The building, which attracts approximately 4 million visitors a year, hosts the Sony Store Ginza and showrooms for the company’s products, restaurants, shops, space event and even a tax-free floor.

Until the new building is constructed, Sony Store Ginza will be temporarily relocated to Ginza Place, a new shopping complex in the district set to open on Sept 24.

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13 Comments
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Hopefully, it will, in fact, be a "park space", not a "parking space".

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Well...that's the parking problem solved for the Olympics!! ;)

What's next...budget blue tarp accommodation in Yoyogi park?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I've been going there since I was a little kid in the 80s to see the latest Sony technology (back when it was the "latest"). It is a kind of nostalgic place of my childhood, and I'll kind of miss it.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Its a perfectly good building; it's not falling down. Just sell the space inside.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I've walked through the Sony Building many, many times since it was first built. Always enjoyed seeing and trying out the latest gadgets produced by Sony. Recently I haven't seen many people there and wondered what was keeping the place running ... especially concerning Sony's recent financial problems. Sony's products had a price tag on them, but they weren't sold in the exhibition building. Wonder what will happen with the Italian restaurant on the top floor? Bet the new building will be quite a marvel considering what can be built in this day and age ...

And ... Ginza Place. Can't wait for this new shopping/dining complex to open ... Should be exciting ...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

One of the saddest demolitions done in Tokyo was a brick building with a dome situated right by nihonbashi bridge. This building features on all old photographs and paintings going back many decades. I am not sure that that building was in its heyday.

It must have been demolished sometime in the late 1980's, and has been replaced with a bland, characterless office block.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

sad to see it go

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Empty lots in Japan are made into parking spaces to avoid high taxes on the land while they prepare for reconstruction. If it's not used for anything the owner has to pay higher taxes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm glad I got to visit the building this year; I hadn't been before and probably won't get another chance before it's gone.

Here's a bit about the building, from Sony's official corporate history. Scroll about halfway down the page:

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/1-15.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Like the company it represents, the Sony building has seen better days.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I've been going there since I was a little kid in the 80s to see the latest Sony technology (back when it was the "latest").

I had no idea it has been there that long. Only been there once; maybe I should check it out again before they tear it down.

Used to be a fan of Sony eons ago, but somewhere along the way their quality just dropped (while retaining their premium pricing.) I believe they had a CEO change a few years back, but even then I really wonder if they can again find their footing, innovate and be a serious competitor. Aside from the PS III/IV consoles and games, I'm hard pressed to find any other areas where they're doing well or not in the red.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Here goes another landmark of history. So sad.....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can't compete internationally, especially with the branding and talent of companies like Apple, Google, etc.

The problem is their way of thinking - ok for the 90s, not nearly competitive enough for today's world. It's funny because they reject every outside influence on their company, yet cannot compete globally anymore.

Time for another Sharp !

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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