An oasis in the midst of a bustling city, the Tokyo American Club and Azabudai Parkhouse is an inviting destination to unwind and play

Tokyo, Japan

The Tokyo American Club and the Azabudai Parkhouse condominium tower arise from a hill in Azabudai, offering a peaceful retreat in one of the busiest neighborhoods of Tokyo. Founded in 1928 by American businessmen, the private business and social networking club today has hundreds of international members who find community while living abroad, enjoying the club’s social, business, dining, living and recreational spaces. Fostering a true “home away from home,” welcoming comfort exudes through the design with human-scaled spaces that flow together in harmony, colorful fabrics and soft furniture, and an amenity rich environment, all enveloped by natural light and stunning views. 

Conceived as a large house that provides members with a calm retreat, the club includes social, business, dining, and recreational facilities with interiors also designed by PC&P.  

Infusing natural elements for a warm welcome 

Infusing Japanese culture and architecture, guests are immersed in the revitalizing power of nature upon arrival. A verdant garden connects the eight-story club building and the twelve-story condominium tower, which ascend upward with a stepped form that creates a series of lush garden terraces. Based on a three-dimensional grid of structural concrete with vertical panels of glass and golden granite, the Tokyo American Club is composed of two wings flanking a series of transparent common rooms, forming seamless boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Natural elements continue inside the building with the centrally located atrium, further layered and defined by horizontal bridges for dining and passage. Fashioned as a “great living room,” the atrium articulates a distinguished, warm welcome. 

1,354
members served simultaneously across ten dining venues

Amenities, character and warmth intersect

Each of the 167 rooms are designed to have a distinct character while sharing a sense of warmth through the use of rich natural materials. Wooden tartan ceilings and travertine stone floors define the center of the building and the central atrium. The eastern wing contains formal dining, a business center, library, meeting rooms, and guest suites. The building’s western wing houses a childcare facility and recreational spaces, where guests can enjoy a bowling alley, gymnasium, squash courts, an indoor golf driving range or unwind in the spa. 

167
rooms
The rooftop features an all-season, 25-meter swimming pool. 
The condominium tower was designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners in conjunction with the redevelopment of the private business and social networking club.  

More About the Project

Project Team

Principal Collaborators

  • Architect of Record: Takenake Corporation, Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei, Inc.
  • Structural Engineer: Takenaka Corporation
  • MEP Engineer: Takenaka Corporation

Project Information

  • Location: Tokyo, Japan
  • Client: Tokyo American Club, Mitsubishi Estate Co.
  • Size: 483,595 sq. ft. / 44,931 sq. m.
  • Completion: 2011
  • Firm Role: Design & Interiors Architect

Awards

  • 2011, Design Award, AIA Connecticut
  • Principal Project Photography: Jeff Goldberg/ESTO