Lisa Partners Launches Refining Renovation of Ichigaya Office Building, Targeting September 2026 Reopening
Lisa Partners, Inc. has commenced a refining renovation of the office building DS Ichigaya Building in Ichigaya Hachiman-cho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The project involves the refurbishment of the existing building, originally completed in 1975, with occupancy scheduled to begin in September 2026. Upon completion, the property will be operated under the new name (tentative) R-Ichigaya Building.
The subject property is a steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) structure with nine floors above ground and one basement level, comprising a gross floor area of approximately 1,124 tsubo (approx. 39,980 sq. ft.). It is located a two-minute walk from Ichigaya Station. In May 2025, Lisa Partners entered into a strategic partnership with architect Shigeru Aoki, a leading figure in refining architecture, and this project is being undertaken as part of that collaboration. The renovation will introduce a new shared lounge, and the project aims to achieve ZEB Ready certification as well as CASBEE certification.
Refining architecture is a renovation method that reuses approximately 80% of an existing building’s structural frame while upgrading seismic performance to meet current standards. This approach enables large-scale refurbishment at roughly 60–70% of the cost of demolition and rebuilding. According to joint research by Mitsui Fudosan and the University of Tokyo, refining renovations can reduce CO₂ emissions by 72% compared with full redevelopment. Shigeru Aoki Architect & Associates has completed more than 100 refining projects nationwide; most recently, “Château Shinano-machi” received the 34th BELCA Award in February 2025.
Tokyo’s office stock is rapidly aging. According to the Office Pyramid 2024 report by Xymax Real Estate Institute, as of the end of 2023 the average age of small- and mid-sized office buildings in Tokyo’s 23 wards was 34.2 years, with nearly 90% completed during the bubble era, 25 to 36 years ago. As 66% of building owners report rising repair and maintenance costs, interest is growing in refining renovations that offer lower costs and reduced environmental impact compared with demolition and new construction. From a policy perspective, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has requested JPY 208.8 billion in its FY2025 budget for seismic upgrades and effective use of existing building stock, providing further tailwinds for the revitalization of aging office buildings.
Key Facts
Property Name: (Tentative) R-Ichigaya Building (formerly DS Ichigaya Building)
Owner / Developer: Lisa Partners, Inc.
Location: 2-1 Ichigaya Hachiman-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from Ichigaya Station (JR Chuo–Sobu Line; Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and Yurakucho Line; Toei Shinjuku Line)
Completion (Existing Building): September 1975
Renovation Start: December 2025
Scheduled Construction Completion: August 2026
Scheduled Occupancy: September 2026
Number of Floors: 9F / B1 (Structure: SRC)
Gross Floor Area: approx. 1,124 tsubo (approx. 39,980 sq. ft.)