Apple Store in Tokyo's Ginza moves to groundbreaking wood building

Aug 18 (Nikkei) - The Apple Store in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district will move this month to Japan's first 12-story building made of a fire-resistant wood and steel construction.

The relocated Apple Store opens on Aug. 30 as the anchor tenant of the high-rise designed by Hulic, one of Japan's biggest real estate groups.

The commercial property housing Apple's current store in Ginza is set to be rebuilt. Commercial real estate watchers had been looking to see where Apple would choose as its new digs.

The wood-heavy building is an example of how Japanese developers are experimenting with designs that cut carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of a property.

Over half of the building's load-bearing elements are made of wood, with steel and reinforced concrete used for additional strength. Around 300 cubic meters of wood are being used. ...continue reading

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