Mori Trust empowers sustainable urban developments, investments

Urban developers in Japan face the challenge of revitalising not just the country's ageing infrastructure but its economy, which took a massive hit from the global financial slowdown and the 2011 earthquake. The task may be challenging, but is embraced by Mori Trust, which has helped shape Tokyo for more than six decades.

"Beyond buildings and other infrastructure, urban developers should create responsible, sustainable cities," says Akira Mori, president and chief executive director. "The 'Trust' in our company's name is a reinforcement of our focus on reliability and trustworthiness. Our philosophy is to add social value in whatever we develop."

The family-owned, private and independent company has a diverse portfolio of offices, hotels, resorts and residential and retail spaces, including Tokyo Shiodome Building and Marunouchi Trust City. It has also fostered relationships with renowned hotel and resort brands such as Conrad, Shangri-La, Marriott and Westin.

Among Mori Trust's most valued achievements, however, is its contribution to Japan's disaster preparedness through projects such as the Sendai Trust City, whose fortified construction sheltered about 11,000 people when it was struck by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake in 2011.

With sustainability in mind, Mori Trust is investing in environment-related businesses to enhance efficiency. It is also looking at megaplexes with high value-added services to address the growing concentration of the ageing population in cities.

Pursuing new investments and markets, Mori Trust eyes London and New York as ideal property locations. Closer to home, it is slated to develop a site with a total floor area of 500,000 square metres in central Tokyo, where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government empowers development intensively.