Latest news with #RedBrickOffice
Asahi Shimbun
28-04-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
Sapporo's Red Brick Office to rent out space for weddings, events
Renovation work is under way inside the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, known as the Red Brick Office, in Sapporo on April 16. (Takeo Kato) SAPPORO—For the first time in its 137-year history, the Former Hokkaido Office Building, also called the Red Brick Office, will be available to rent by the public for weddings and other occasions. The building, a symbol of Sapporo and a popular tourist destination, has been closed for renovations since October 2019. The reopening is scheduled for July 25. Reconstruction of the building was completed in March, and interior exhibition facilities are now being upgraded. The number of exhibition rooms has been increased, and a new section will be added to showcase famous places from various parts of Hokkaido and indigenous Ainu culture. A restaurant will also be built inside the building. Four rooms will be available for rent: two halls on the second floor and two rooms on the first basement floor. They were previously used as a meeting room and for storage by the Hokkaido government. The Akarenga Garden at the front of the building will also be available for rent. The facilities can be used for weddings, exhibitions, concerts and other events. 'We are opening the building to the public with a new look,' Ko Arakida, the building's manager, said. 'We want to make the people of Hokkaido feel attached to it and proud of it.' This spring, the Hokkaido government adopted an ordinance to open the building to the public to promote residents' activities and tourism. The building has been used only for government offices, and its rental has been limited to events requiring special permission. Constructed in 1888, the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is a Western-style architecture from the Meiji Era (1868-1912) and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The interior was destroyed by fire, but restoration work was completed in 1911. The current renovation work is the first since 1968, almost half a century ago. While aging floors and walls have been replaced, wooden fixtures and fittings used since the restoration in 1911 remain intact. The four rooms available for rent each cover 224 square meters. Rental fees, including taxes, are 25,800 yen ($181) for half-day use (three hours) in the morning and afternoon, 34,400 yen for evening use (5 p.m.-9 p.m.), and 103,300 yen for one day (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) The rental costs for the front garden are 53,100 yen for half-day use, 70,800 yen for evening use, and 212,400 yen for a full day. Hokkaido residents and companies and organizations based in Japan's northernmost main island can receive a 30-percent discount for the two basement rooms and the front garden on weekdays. For rental reservations and inquiries:
The Mainichi
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Historic red brick building in Sapporo to rent spaces for weddings, events
SAPPORO -- Couples will soon have the chance to hold their weddings at the Red Brick Office, a national important cultural property in this northern Japan city that is undergoing renovation work. The grand reopening of what was formerly the main building of the former Hokkaido Government Office in Sapporo's Chuo Ward is slated for July 25. In conjunction with the renewal, two rooms within the facility will become available for rental: "Red brick hall B" on the second floor and "Domin base A" on the first basement level. Prior to the renovations, the former served as a conference room, while the latter was used for storing documents. Neither space had been open to the general public. Hall B retains its historical charm, featuring wooden window frames and doors as well as a chandelier made during the Meiji era (1868-1912). In the renovations, the lighting was changed to LED fixtures, and the flooring and curtains were newly installed. The refined atmosphere of the space is expected to be used for various events including wedding ceremonies and photography, academic conferences and concerts. Domin base A, located partially underground, is a calm and subdued room with white walls and simple wood-grain flooring. The space features four central pillars, apparently allowing for flexible layout adjustments according to its intended use. The space is expected to host activities such as training and briefing sessions, informational meetings, workshops, as well as cultural and artistic exhibitions. Yumie Saito, a manager at the designated management body Hokkaido Akarenga Mirai Kiko (Hokkaido red brick future organization), stated, "The hall is suitable for celebratory occasions, while the Domin base is ideal as a recreational area for participants to become more familiar with each other. We aim to make this a welcoming and accessible venue for all Hokkaido residents." Each room measures about 220 square meters. Depending on the type of event, the rooms can accommodate between 50 and 130 people. The base rental fee is 25,800 yen (around $180) for either morning or afternoon use, and 34,400 yen (roughly $240) for evening use. Reservations are being accepted through a dedicated website (in Japanese).
