TOKYO | Metropolitan Government Building | 799 FT / 243 M | 48 FLOORS | 1991
Designed by Kenzo Tange, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center remains the tallest buildings in the Shinjuku District of the city. The complex consists of a series of interconnected buildings, culminated by a 34 story tower and the twinned 48 story main towers. The main towers are 'joined at the hip' so to speak up to about the 25th floor, with each tower breaking free in a series of overlaid rectangles. Each tower finally rotates 45 degrees with notched corners and mechanical housing cutouts.
Tange's masterful use of scale and variety in the curtain wall (and the use of overlaid shapes to create numerous facets to the facade), gives the building some highly interesting geometry.
The buildings are distinctive, but honestly not overly memorable.
There is an observation deck (free) on the 45th floor of each tower.
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Even if you are 1 in a million, there are still 8,000 people just like you...
-- “We heal each other with kindness, gentleness and respect.” -- Richard Wagamese
-- “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” -- Dr. Seuss
I stayed in the Keio Plaza Hotel back in the summer of 06 while on a business trip for Intel, the entire area is absolutely amazing, and waking up each morning for 10 days and getting to look directly across at that and see the thousands of people walking in from the JR line/subway was wonderful!
I wish I had known that there was an observation deck! I would have went in a heartbeat!
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Suburban kid, wishing he lived in a urban jungle.
Stop building out, start building up, BUT DO IT RIGHT the first time....so we dont have to come back and fix our mistakes 50 years from now.
One of the most unique and interesting skyscrapers in Japan - and in all Asia. The cool grey and blue facade and the hard edges make it look 70s to me, but I like it anyway.
__________________ 21st Century Coeds - come for the girls, stay for the story! Read the webcomic
Unmissable attraction in Tokyo, land of high-rise observatories.
This government building complex has TWO free observatories, one on each tower.
The staff is friendly, the space is wide and inviting.
There's a bar/restaurant and the usual souvenir shops.
Excellent views, almost 360º of the surrounding area, and on - rare - clear days one can see Mount Fuji, 90kms away.
Linear Mode
