Outside the Region: Construction begins on Y2 project: Exterior, public spaces by Pickard Chilton

Tokyo, Japan Pickard Chilton took part in the ceremonies marking the commencement of construction on their design of the exterior and primary public spaces of the Y2 Project. 

Pickard Chilton representatives, including principal William Chilton FAIA, RIBA, attended the traditional Japanese purification ceremony and groundbreaking held December 3rd. 

The Y2 Project is an urban mixed-use high-rise managed by locally-based real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan on behalf of a committee of landowners. Pickard Chilton was responsible for the exterior design and primary public spaces in collaboration with the locally-based architectural/engineering practice, Nihon Sekkei, and general contractor Takenaka Corp.

The ceremony offers prayers for the safety of workers during construction, the successful completion of the project, and the prosperity of incoming tenants and occupants.

The project is sited near the Yaesu South entrance of historic Tokyo Station and includes a 297,000 m2 (3.3-million-square-foot) mixed-use skyscraper that will redefine the Yaesu district’s skyline. The state-of-the-art building will include office and a luxurious Bulgari Hotel, along with an elementary school atop a retail podium and a below-grade transportation hub. The state-of-the-art urban community will offer below grade direct access to Tokyo Station, one of the most significant and busy transportation centers in Japan.

The Pickard Chilton design team created an architectural concept that captures the human energy, architectural excitement, and the full economic potential of this vibrant district in the heart of metropolitan Tokyo. The landowner committee prioritized key design principles at the project outset, including enhancing the pedestrian experience, developing retail opportunities that will foster new vitality at multiple levels, and focusing on green spaces that will support and enrich the local environment. As a result, the Y2 Project presents a sustainable, innovative design that is harmonious within its urban surroundings while complementing the skyline.

“We are honored and privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to work alongside the landowner committee, Mitsui Fudosan, Nihon Sekkei, and Takenaka Corporation on such an extraordinarily important and iconic project for Tokyo,” noted William Chilton, principal and co-founder of Pickard Chilton. “The significance of the Y2 Project cannot be overstated, as it will redefine the urban landscape for Tokyo Station and the Yaesu district for years to come. It has been a delight to be part of the collaborative team that will realize this innovative urban community that will integrate the new tower within the neighborhood and serve as a welcoming focal point for the entire district.”

Pickard Chilton’s design includes a gently curved façade for the 240-meter (787-foot) tower that distinguishes it from neighboring buildings.  The curved façade evokes the image of a billowing sail and is inspired by the site’s original location on a canal which served as an outer moat of the historic Edo Castle.  At the northwest corner, the tower will engage the ground to emphasize its verticality and to clearly identify the main entry. From the below-grade levels of Tokyo Station, visitors will rise through a cascade of escalators, through the podium retail levels, to a podium roof terrace overlooking Yaesu Granroof.

Offering access to one of the busiest transportation nodes in Japan, the Y2 Project is also walking distance to some of Tokyo’s best attractions and provide easy access to international destinations through connectivity with both the Haneda and Narita airports.

The Y2 Project is scheduled to be completed in 2022.