July 2008

Following presentations by Pelli Clarke Pelli this spring, the local consulting teams have been plugging away to finalize details of the new Club in Azabudai and obtain government approval for the permits needed to begin construction. In the meantime, demolition has been moving swiftly at the site of the old Tokyo American Club.

Very little remains at Azabudai. Nearly everything that once made up the former Club and Azabu Towers has been razed to ground level, and piles of rubble are being sorted and carted off by a constant procession of trucks. Once obstructed by the old buildings, Roppongi Hills can now be seen clearly from the old main entrance along with a wide-sweeping view of the city skyline.

After the last remnants have been knocked down and cleared away, the construction crew will start a lengthy excavation period extending into next year. The parking lot and foundation will be ripped from the ground and massive pieces of the hillside will be removed. Digging to depths of up to 14 meters, those involved in the project remain uncertain about what else, if anything, will be unearthed in the process. Previous test digs at the site revealed ceramic fragments dating back to the Edo period, along with less antiquated findings that included a toilet seat and vending machine door.

Photographs of the demolition progress can be found by clicking here. Please e-mail any questions or comments about the Redevelopment Project to redevelopmentfeedback@tac-club.org.

Alistair Gough
Redevelopment Director