Japanese Hotel Developer Hoshino Resorts will open "OMO7 Yokohama by Hoshino Resorts," an urban hotel located in front of JR Kannai Station in Naka Ward, Yokohama, on April 21. The project involves the renovation and adaptation of the former Yokohama City Hall Administrative Building, a Tangible Cultural Property of Yokohama designed by the renowned architect Togo Murano（1891-1984）and completed in 1959. The renovation aims to inherit the architectural legacy cherished by citizens since the post-war era almost entirely in its original form, while selectively reconstructing specific elements. Takenaka Corporation was responsible for both the renovation design and construction.

This project is part of "BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai," a large-scale redevelopment of the former city hall site led by a consortium of eight companies with Mitsui Fudosan as the representative.

The former Yokohama City Hall Administrative Building is a steel-framed reinforced concrete structure with one basement level and eight stories above ground, covering a total floor area of approximately 20,000 square meters. The existing structural frame, which had previously undergone seismic isolation retrofitting, was utilized without modification. The project theme was "The Fusion of New and Old," prioritizing modern convenience and novelty while preserving as much of the original architectural design as possible.

A staff of Takenaka Corporation's Development Business Division reflected on the challenges of the project, noting that because the building was originally an administrative office, the structure contained numerous load-bearing walls. The staff explained that the design required ingenious solutions to incorporate the hotel guest room layouts without demolishing these essential structural elements.

Upon entering the main entrance, guests are greeted by the "OMO Base," a two-story atrium spanning the first and second floors. The grand staircase within this atrium inherits the design of the one used in the former Citizens' Hall; steps one through eight were relocated, while the ninth step and above were restored. Aside from the addition of new handrails for barrier-free accessibility, the staircase retains its historical appearance.

The hotel offers a total of 276 guest rooms, primarily ranging from 25 to 50 square meters in size. The third floor includes 32 rooms specifically designed for guests staying with dogs, complemented by a dog run and a spacious indoor play area. The rooftop, which had fallen into disrepair, has been transformed into the "HAMAKAZE Terrace," a space where guests can enjoy food and beverages while overlooking Yokohama Stadium.

Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino Resorts, noted that approximately 90 percent of tourists currently visit Yokohama only for day trips. He expressed his ambition to change this trend, stating that he hopes to create an opportunity for the entire Kannai area to become a single, cohesive resort destination. (2026/03/17)