A consortium led by Japanese real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan will develop a community to be modeled after Portland, Oregon in Makuhari Shintoshin, suburban Tokyo. As the city is often described as one of the most popular cities to live in, Portland-based design firm ZGF Architects joins the group as a consultant. Multi-purpose developments in the town, which is to accommodate 10,000 residences, will propose a lifestyle of the next generation.

Makuhari Bay Towers Project is located in the 17.6 ha area in Makuhari Shintoshin, Chiba City. In the area divided by eight blocks, 4,500 units of apartments will be constructed in sequence. The total cost is estimated at 186 billion yen.

The first phase will have 503 apartments, co-working spaces, a day care center, residences for the elderly and retail shops. Contractor Kumagai Gumi has been undertaken the construction with completion due in December 2018. The final phase is scheduled to complete in 2029.

The concept of the project is to build “Life Innovation Town,” which integrates information and communication technology with social infrastructure. Taking advantage of such similarities as abundant green spaces and traffic convenience between Makuhari Shintoshin and Portland, ZGF Architects drew the conceptual design. (2017/3/17)