| Century Tower | |
|---|---|
センチュリータワー | |
 Century Tower in 2012 | |
 Interactive map of Century Tower | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | structural expressionism |
| Location | 2-2-9,Hongo,Bunkyo,Tokyo, Japan |
| Groundbreaking | December 1988 |
| Completed | May 1991 |
| Owner | Juntendo University |
| Height | 91.1m |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Norman Foster |
| Main contractor | Obayashi Corporation |
TheCentury Tower is a 21-storey building located inHongo,Bunkyo,Tokyo. The building overlooks theRiver Kanda, withOchanomizu on the opposite side.
The tower was commissioned by Kazuo Akao, the son of publishing tycoon Yoshio Akao, as the headquarters of the Obunsha publishing house.[1] It cost Obunsha 1.8 billion yen to commission British architectNorman Foster to design it and the construction cost the company 23 billion yen. The structure has two main towers with a 72-metre-high atrium between them. This design nearly failed to gain authorisation from theMinistry of Health and Welfare due to Japan's stricter fire safety regulations. However,Obayashi Corporation brought Foster's pan to life by pressurising the air throughout the atrium.[2] The building was completed in May 1991.[3]
During theLost Decades, the original owner faced financial difficulties and sold the building. In 2007, it was purchased by its current owner,Juntendo University.[4]