Gifu City Tower 43

Building details

The construction of Gifu City Tower 43 was planned by the Gifu Station West Area Urban Redevelopment Group, with planning beginning in 1983. The cost of the project was approximately 15 billion yen (US$130 million), with construction officially beginning on January 8, 2005. The property on which it has an area of about 11,000 square metres. The building itself has a footprint of 5,412.12 m², with floorspace totalling 57,600.44 m². Gifu City Tower 43 is composed mostly of reinforced concrete. On the roof of the building, there is a damper, which was designed to reduce vibrations resulting from earthquakes by 20%.

Design concept

When the tower was being designed and built, four concepts were implemented that would represent traditional and cultural aspects of Gifu City. The first concept was to use the observatory to correlate to Gifu Castle, home to Saitō Dōsan and Oda Nobunaga, both of whom made Gifu famous throughout the country. The second concept brings Gifu Lanterns into the design, using traditional designs of the lanterns on the outer walls to make the tower blend with the surrounding area. The third design brings in Gifu's former name, Inokuchi (井口), by creating lines down the each side of the building so, when it is viewed from above, it represents the character 井, which is also the city symbol. The fourth concept uses designs of cormorant fishing boats throughout the floors to blend traditional and modern design elements.

Floor guide

43rd floor: Sky Lounge

The Sky Lounge is owned and operated by the city of Gifu. In the Sky Lounge, there is both an observatory, from which the surrounding area can be seen, and Zetton, a restaurant which also has wide views of the city. The observatory offers views of the surrounding area, while the restaurant only has views of the south and west. There is a free elevator from the first floor which services only the observation deck. It can bring visitors from the first and second floors to the top floor in approximately 45 seconds.

15th to 42nd floor: Private condominiums

There are 243 private condominiums, with a total floor area of 18,490m², in Gifu City Tower 43. They are divided up as follows:

6th to 14th floor: La Sur Maison

There are 108 separate residences for senior citizens, with a total floor space of 5,330m². These units are run by the Gifu Prefectural Housing Corporation.

5th floor: Entrance to condominiums

4th floor: Gifu Broadcasting System, Inc. and other commercial establishments

Gifu Broadcasting System, Inc. (broadcasts began on November 11, 2007) and commercial establishments

3rd floor: Medical and welfare facilities

1st and 2nd floor: Commercial establishments

Underground level: Parking

There are 56 parking spaces available beneath Gifu City Tower 43 for public use and shares an entrance with the west parking garage for JR Gifu Station. Next to the building is another parking garage with 192 spaces available for residents of the Tower.