The End of an Era: The Shin-Yurakucho Building's Final Chapter
Is its Demolition a Sign of a Soulless Future? I don't think so, but we'll see if its replacement, Yurakucho Park, will fill the "needed" void.
I have a few images of the Shin-Yurakucho Building in all it’s green-tiled glory, but I decided to capture it on b&w film.
Many people who live here in Tokyo understand that many buildings here have a shelf life. Building earthquake codes, the desire to create “new”, and abandonment are a few factors in this destructo ethos.
But there’s also an element of rebirth. What will stand in its place? Will it also have interesting windows and tiles? Probably not, but I will definitely be modern with contemporary lines and curves. Guaranteed, I won’t like it as much as the original Shin-Yurakucho Building.
The Shin-Yurakucho Building was completed in September 1965 and an extension was added in March 1967. The late-’60s and early ‘70s were part of a important redevelopment effort in the Marunouchi-Yurakucho area during a time of insanely-rapid economic growth. Old buildings were demolished to make way for large, modern office buildings, and the area was reborn as a leading business center.
The building's construction was part of a larger plan to transform the area, which had a history dating back to the Edo period when it was a residential area for feudal lords.
Following the Meiji Restoration, the land was used by the military before being sold to Mitsubishi, which began developing it into a business district. The Shin-Yurakucho Building, along with others constructed around the same time, contributed to the area's modern appearance. I mean, it looks pretty mod.
The Shin-Yurakucho Building is currently undergoing demolition as part of a new urban development project in the Yurakucho area. Apparently, the goal is to create a new area with diverse attractions, separate from the office-heavy Marunouchi district, which is next door to commercial areas like Ginza and Hibiya. Personally, I think the area is already filled with diverse attractions. Maybe we need more? Yes. We need more. Please consume.
As of August, 2025, the building is encapsulated in demolition safety covers, but if you’d like to see what it currently looks like, head on over.
Google Map ← Have a visit.
So there we have it, the Shin-Yurakucho Building in all its glory, but in black & white film.
I’ll see you on the streets.
—JG