When Tokyo’s Okura Hotel announced that their main wing would be demolished in 2015 and be rebuilt, there was public outcry over the loss of the hotel’s iconic, modernist lobby. But the hotel promised to “faithfully reproduce” the former lobby and now, with an opening date set for September 12, it appears that the hotel has made good on that promise.
At a press preview this week, the hotel unveiled their new buildings and lobby designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the son of Yoshiro Taniguchi who designed the original hotel. It’s clear that so much thought and care went in to replicating this modernist work of art. Many elements were brought over from the old lobby like the tables, which were re-lacquered, and the chairs, which were re-upholstered.
Remarkably, the iconic lanterns have been converted to energy-efficient LEDs but have been engineered to expel the exact same tone of light as their predecessors.
We’re looking forward to staying here once again! The hotel formally re-opens on September 12, 2019 at 3:00 PM. You can see more photos over on Casa Brutus.
