Today's review is all about the ultra-luxury tower "World Tower Residence" that has been getting a lot of attention from all kinds of people in Japan from keen invostors to families who are looking for their dream home.
The building itself as a tower residence is already impressive, but what makes this property truly amazing is its direct connection to Hamamatsucho Station, which is undergoing redevelopment. While there may be other properties near Hamamatsucho Station in the future, there will never be another property directly connected to the station like this one. This is the ultimate rarity, and it's why buying a station-integrated tower property is considered a sure thing (in fact, it's expected to increase in value after being sold). Recently, there has been the Park Court Koiwa The Tower, which is still fresh in people's memories.
Furthermore, the ongoing Hamamatsucho Station redevelopment project aims to transform not only the station but also the entire town of Hamamatsucho into a grand project that will connect Tokyo to the world. As a result, the surrounding area will be completely renovated, and it will become a very convenient and attractive area.
But enough of the introduction. If you can afford the per-tsubo price of this property, you should definitely buy it! However, as there may be those who are considering comparing and considering this property with the "Mita Garden Hills," which will be sold and occupied around the same time, I thought about the downsides of this property as well. Please take a look at my thoughts below.
Location: 2-200 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo (address)
Transportation: 2 minutes walk from Hamamatsucho station on the Yamanote line, 3 minutes walk from Monorail Hamamatsucho station on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda line, and 4 minutes walk from Daimon station on the Toei Oedo line
Number of units: 389 units (376 units available for general sale)
Land ownership/lease type: Ownership Parking: 119 mechanical parking spaces on the premises for 376 units
Move-in date: Late March 2025
Sales period: Scheduled to start in early March 2023
Structure/floors: Reinforced concrete (partly steel-reinforced concrete/steel frame/CFT), 46 floors above ground and 2 floors below ground
Construction company: Kajima Corporation Seller: World Trade Center Building Inc., Kajima Corporation, Mitsui Fudosan Residential Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Jisho Residence Co., Ltd., and Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd.
Notes: Parking/undecided (monthly usage fee: undecided), bicycle parking/undecided (monthly usage fee: undecided), motorcycle parking/undecided (monthly usage fee: undecided)
Merits of World Tower Residence
Direct Connecttion to the Hamamatsucho Station
World Tower Residence is directly connected to Hamamatsucho Station, allowing residents to move between the station and the condominium in just 2 minutes. This direct connection provides residents with exceptional convenience and accessibility to the surrounding areas. Additionally, the property is part of a redevelopment project, which further enhances the appeal of the location and is expected to bring new amenities and infrastructure to the neighborhood in the future.
Hamamatsucho Station is undergoing redevelopment and will be connected to major facilities in the surrounding area via a pedestrian deck. The neighborhood will be transformed into a hub for living, working, and playing, with a range of amenities including office buildings, commercial facilities, luxury hotels, medical facilities, childcare support facilities, and theaters. This redevelopment project is set to create a new gateway to Tokyo that is connected to the world and will enhance the overall appeal of the area, making it an even more attractive place to live.
Many Parks around the Area
One of the greatest strengths of this property is the abundance of greenery in the surrounding area, which creates a unique urban environment. The Shiba Park, Old Shiba Detached Palace Garden, and Hama Detached Palace Garden are all located within easy walking distance of the property. These three well-known gardens are a major feature of the area, and residents of World Tower Residence will have the unique opportunity to use them as their own backyard.
While Hamamatsucho is commonly known as a business district, it has a green and lush side to it, which makes it a great place for active families as well. The area's abundance of greenery, as well as the various parks and gardens, create a peaceful atmosphere that is perfect for families looking for a little tranquility in the city. Additionally, the surrounding community is full of various family-friendly amenities, such as child care facilities, medical services, and theaters, making it an attractive area for families with children.
The Investment Value Inside the Yamanote Line
Even for properties with the same nearest station, such as Brillia Tower Hamarikyu, which is outside of the Yamanote Line, this property is inside of it. It's a given that properties located inside the Yamanote Line have higher status even if they're at the same nearest station.
Great Access to the Airports
One of the biggest advantages of this property is its excellent access to overseas destinations. It is only an 18-minute direct monorail ride from Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport, and even from Daimon Station, which is only a 4-minute walk away, it takes only 30 minutes on the Toei Asakusa Line. This is particularly attractive to businesspeople who frequently travel overseas, as well as foreign dignitaries and expatriates.
Although there are many luxury apartments and residential areas in Tokyo, this property's access to airports is the most significant differentiating point for those who travel overseas frequently. Additionally, since it only takes 7 minutes to Tokyo Station and 6 minutes to Shinagawa Station on the Yamanote Line, it is also an excellent option for those who need access to regional cities via the Shinkansen.
Outstanding Design
The common facilities have a cool design, as expected from being designed by a famous Spanish designer. The inside of the apartment is very stylish, with a chic design that is truly captivating, almost like a high-end hotel.
Projects by Trusted Major Corporations
The property is a joint project by five major companies representing Japan: World Trade Center Building, Kajima Corporation, Mitsui Fudosan Residential, Mitsubishi Estate Residence, and Tokyo Tatemono. Just having these major companies involved provides a sense of security, and it is strong in terms of resale value.
Downsides of World Tower Residence
Although this property has many advantages, I will list some disadvantages for those who are comparing this property with others.
However, it goes without saying that the merits of this property far outweigh the demerits.
Price
One potential downside of World Tower Residence is that the price is comparable to other high-end neighborhoods like Aoyama, Azabu, and Akasaka, making it difficult to compete with these well-known luxury areas. When compared to these coveted areas, it may seem that the location in Hamamatsucho cannot compare in terms of prestige. The target market for this property, wealthy and high-level executives, may be more likely to consider living in Aoyama, Roppongi, or Toranomon, where the foreign community is already established.
However, the main selling point of this property is its convenience, being directly connected to a terminal station. For some executives, this level of convenience may be more important than living in a traditional and established upscale neighborhood. Additionally, the demand for reselling or renting the property should not be a concern because some executives may prefer this level of convenience over the neighborhood's prestige.
Furthermore, those who prefer chain stores or large-scale shopping establishments over quaint cafes and hidden shops may find Hamamatsucho, Toranomon, or Roppongi more suitable. Those who seek an energetic atmosphere rather than a quiet and established neighborhood may also find Hamamatsucho or Roppongi more appealing.
Natural Dissaster
According to the Minato Ward Flood Hazard Map, the property is located in an area where flooding of 1 meter or less is expected in the event of a disaster. Although the Tsunami Hazard Map indicates that the surrounding area is subject to tsunamis, the property itself is not expected to be affected.
According to the Minato Ward Earthquake Susceptibility Map, the property is located in an area where strong shaking of up to 6+ on the Japanese seismic scale can be expected in the event of an earthquake on the northern part of Tokyo Bay. Additionally, the property is located in an area where liquefaction is possible, according to the Minato Ward Liquefaction Susceptibility Map.
For high-rise apartments with high disaster prevention functions like this property, I think there is no need to worry about hazards. However, for those who are particular about living on high ground or having a strong foundation, other traditional high-end residential areas such as Motoazabu, Roppongi, Akasaka, Toranomon, Minami-Aoyama, and Mita may be more suitable.
Noise from the Railway and the Construction
As the World Trade Center building is situated between the railway and this property, I think the noise from the trains reaching the apartment will be significantly reduced. However, if there is a room with a view of the railway that does not overlap with the World Trade Center building or other buildings, you may still hear the sound of the trains. This is something to check for. On the other hand, in units facing the Tokyo Tower, noise from the trains should not be a concern.
In addition to noise from the railway, you also need to be careful about noise from nearby construction sites. This is because the completion date for the neighboring public facility in Minato Ward is set for December 2026, which is about two years after the completion of World Tower Residence in November 2024. Even after moving in, there may be many units that can hear the noise due to the ongoing construction of the adjacent building, especially those facing north. However, unlike the railway, this noise is likely to be limited to daytime hours and construction work is likely to be suspended on Sundays, so the impact should be minimal for many people.
Compared to "Mita Garden Hills," which will be on sale at the same time, those who are sensitive to noise, those who want to live with open windows, and those who want to enjoy balcony life will definitely be more satisfied living in "Mita Garden Hills" (however, even in Mita Garden Hills, you will have to live with noise for a few years due to the redevelopment of the surrounding area after moving in).
Future views not guaranteed
The best views in this property are probably to the west with a view of Tokyo Tower, followed by the south. Although there are mid-rise buildings around the area, most of the units are located on the 13th floor or higher, so they will likely have a decent view.
However, since this is a highly-redeveloped area, there is no guarantee of future views. For example, on the west side, if there are older buildings with fewer floors than this property and Tokyo Tower diagonally across, those buildings may be replaced with taller ones in the future, which could result in a lower-floor unit losing its view of Tokyo Tower.
From the higher floors on the south side, you can currently see the seaside in Shibaura and Rainbow Bridge, but by the time the "Shibaura 1-chome Project," the rebuilding project of the Hamamatsucho Building (formerly the Toshiba Building), is completed, Rainbow Bridge may not be visible anymore. The range of the sea view may also be reduced.
On the other hand, to the north stands the "Nippon Life Hamamatsucho Claire Tower" (29 stories high), while to the east, the "World Trade Center Building South Tower" (39 stories high) looms at a close distance. Being in close proximity to office buildings means that many people may feel concerned about privacy during the day and need to keep the curtains closed. Therefore, in terms of the view, the appeal may not be as great. As mentioned earlier, the east-facing units that are not covered by the South Tower of the World Trade Center Building may be affected by noise from the railway.
The Room Layouts
I thought that the rooms in the 90 to 100 square meter range had nice and usable layouts (well, that's expected), but I was a little concerned about the rooms in the 60 to 80 square meter range.
In the 60 square meter range, there is a layout with a room without a window, and I think it's a disappointing layout considering the price range.
As for the corner units in the 70 and 80 square meter ranges, I was concerned about the large dead space in the dining area due to the use of an island kitchen, as well as the long hallway and large consumption area.
The middle unit in the 80 square meter range has a nice and usable layout.
Thank you for reading my review of World Tower Residence. I hope it will be helpful for those who are searching for a new home.