- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,056
- 18,911
Sumitomo Realty & Development's twin 27-story towers, soon to grace Kobe's Sannomiya district, will be the final high-rise residential buildings to adorn the city's skyline. The developer's luxury units, many priced upwards of ¥200 million, boast panoramic views of Kobe's famed "10-million-dollar nightscape" and are selling fast. However, it's not just the apartments themselves driving demand. In 2020, Kobe City imposed strict regulations on new residential developments within a 22.6-hectare area surrounding JR Sannomiya Station, halting high-rise apartment construction in the city's heart. Construction on the Twin Towers began in 2019, and their completion will mark the end of an era for Kobe's urban landscape.
Photo credit: Sumitomo Realty and Development Co.
Kobe was one of the first among government ordinance-designated cities to experience a population decline. However, Kobe also worries that if these buildings attract residents to the city centre, urban overcrowding and suburban depopulation will worsen.
Photo credit: Sumitomo Realty and Development Co.
Kobe was one of the first among government ordinance-designated cities to experience a population decline. However, Kobe also worries that if these buildings attract residents to the city centre, urban overcrowding and suburban depopulation will worsen.