Demolition has begun on the Resona Maruha Building at the Uchibori-dori and Eitai-dori intersection in Otemachi, Tokyo — 24 floors above ground, 4 below, opened 1978. Mitsubishi Estate's SPC acquired it in 2008 and sold 27% to JX Holdings in 2010. Resona moved to Fukagawa, Koto; Nichiro Maruha to Toyosu.
After demolition, two high-rises are planned on the site plus the adjacent MUFG Otemachi Building lot from 2013–2016; JX Group and others will move in.
The method is "daruma-otoshi" — cut-and-down developed by Kajima, first used on three Kajima headquarters buildings in Akasaka, Tokyo, 2007–2009. Core walls reinforce against earthquake collapse; jacks hold the building; lower floors are removed; jacks lower upper floors; repeat.
Less noise and dust, easier recycling, no high-place danger — an eco-friendly demolition. Interior work is underway; daruma-otoshi will begin soon. From Palaceside Building's roof you may not notice at first, but when 24 floors become 20 or fewer, everyone will say "Hey!" Try lunchtime rooftop observation.