Continuing the trend of overseas fashion and luxury brands making major real estate investments in Japan, Armani has just announced a plan to build a new project on Harumi Dori in Ginza. The twelve storey building will include the Armani Group's head office functions alongside several floors of showrooms. The concept for the store matches similar operations in Munich, Hong Kong and Milan and will include a restaurant and night club. Giorgio Armani is said to have selected the site himself based on recommendations from his Japan team. Although the company will be leasing the property rather than buying the real estate outright, the building will represent one the largest single investments by the company anywhere in the world. The tower has been designed by an Italian group who have worked regularly with Armani but they will be using some Japanese motifs including a bamboo facade on the first three floors. The complex will open on the 7th of November this year and the company will be holding a fashion and music event at the Budokan to promote the occasion.
