Iconic Marubiru Site to Reopen with Taller Round Building

OSAKA, Aug 04 (News On Japan) - Plans to build a new round building on the site of the former Osaka Marubiru, which closed last year, were approved on August 2nd in a meeting held by Osaka Prefecture.

The Osaka Marubiru, a complex building that housed a hotel, restaurants, and other facilities, had been a beloved landmark in Umeda for nearly half a century. However, it closed in May 2023 due to a decline in visitor numbers and aging infrastructure. Demolition work is currently underway.

After the demolition, the site will be utilized as a bus terminal connecting to Yumeshima, the venue for the Osaka-Kansai Expo opening in April 2025. Subsequently, a new building will be constructed.

The reconstruction plan approved on the 2nd by Osaka Prefecture includes a new building standing 1.5 times taller than its predecessor at 192 meters. The familiar "round shape" will be retained in the new design, which will feature a luxury hotel, a concert hall, and an interactive museum. The opening is scheduled for spring 2030.

Source: YOMIURI

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