Hotel Okura has been immortalized thanks to the 1960s James Bond Film 'You Only Live Twice' but the iconic lodging will soon see a rebuild that will allow it to be earthquake-proof. This rebuild may sound as if the hotel is ditching its iconic James Bond theme, but the hotel will be preserving this heritage in its new redesign.
The Hotel Okura was first officially demolished in 2015 but is set to reopen as the Okura Tokyo in September 2019. This rebuilt hotel comes from Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, who will also be redesigning the lobby his father Yoshiro Taniguchi designed in 1962.
The lobby of the original Hotel Okura was featured prominently in the Bond film and Yoshio took special care to preserve its distinct look in his redesign. The hexagonal lanterns and world map featured in the original will return, along with the lacquered tables and midcentury chairs arranged like the petals of plum tree blossoms.
Image Credit: Okura Tokyo
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Rebuilding Iconic Hotels
- Opportunity for hotels to undergo redesigns and renovations while preserving their iconic heritage.
- Preserving Theme and Aesthetics
- Opportunity for businesses to redesign spaces while maintaining the distinct theme and aesthetic elements that made them iconic.
- Architectural Reinvention
- Opportunity for architects to reimagine and rebuild iconic structures with modern advancements and earthquake-proof features.
Where This Applies
- Hospitality
- Opportunity for hospitality industry to renovate hotels and resorts, preserving their unique themes and historical significance.
- Architecture and Design
- Opportunity for architects and designers to reimagine and revitalize iconic structures, combining heritage with modern innovations.
- Film and Entertainment
- Opportunity for film and entertainment industry to collaborate with iconic hotels for movie productions, capitalizing on the nostalgia and recognition they offer.
