On March 10, 2025, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Co., Ltd. announced the official launch of a large-scale development project titled “(Provisional Name) JR Funabashi Ichiba-cho Company Housing Site Development Plan” on the former JR company housing site located in Ichiba-cho, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture.
This plan involves the development of approximately 45,400 square meters of land formerly occupied by JR East company housing, with the construction of over 1,000 residential units and commercial facilities. The project aims to reduce environmental impact through the use of renewable energy and landscaping, while also creating a vibrant neighborhood with commercial functions. Below, we will provide an overview of the background, significance, concept, schedule, and features of this project based on publicly available information such as press releases.
The JR Funabashi Ichiba-cho Company Housing Site is located approximately a 10-minute walk from Funabashi Station on the JR Sobu Line, adjacent to the Funabashi City Local Wholesale Market (Funabashi Market). Originally, the site was home to 15 buildings arranged in four rows east-west, but due to aging, demolition work is currently underway, creating a large vacant lot. To leverage this vast underutilized site near the city center for regional revitalization, JR East Japan and Tokyu Fudosan Holdings have entered into a comprehensive business partnership. This development project is positioned as the first initiative under their collaboration to create an environmentally sustainable, community-driven, and self-reliant urban environment. Funabashi City has also approved the “Funabashi Urban Planning Market 1-chome District Plan” on March 7, 2025, which includes the project site, and the project will now proceed with full-scale development through public-private collaboration. In this way, the project holds significant meaning from both perspectives of utilizing underutilized land and creating a sustainable city.
The concept of this plan is to create a sustainable city that balances environmental harmony and the creation of a local community. By combining the strengths of JR East Japan and Tokyu Land Corporation, we will create a new living space that integrates multiple functions such as housing, commerce, energy, and community. Specifically, we will integrate a residential zone with over 1,000 households and a commercial zone to enhance daily shopping convenience while creating spaces where people can gather and interact. In terms of energy, the project plans to introduce renewable energy generation facilities such as solar panels to support the entire town with clean energy. In addition, community facilities that can be used by local residents will be developed within the site to function as disaster prevention centers and exchange hubs, thereby realizing a “community self-help” town. The core philosophy of this project is to achieve sustainable development in harmony with the environment and people's lives.
According to current plans, construction will begin in August 2025 and is expected to be completed in December 2028, with a construction period of approximately three years. From 2023 to 2024, urban planning decisions will be made, existing buildings will be demolished, and preparatory work will be carried out. Full-scale construction will begin in the summer of 2025. During the construction period, safety and environmental measures will be thoroughly implemented in the surrounding area, and construction of residential and commercial buildings will proceed in stages. After completion at the end of 2028, the project is expected to open and begin tenant occupancy in 2029, following the necessary procedures. As construction progresses, detailed schedules and information regarding tenant recruitment will be announced in due course, and we will keep the local community informed of the latest developments.
The urban development of this project is characterized by environmental considerations and community collaboration. In terms of the environment, the project aims to contribute to a decarbonized society through energy conservation and energy creation by installing solar panels on building roofs and within the site, utilizing rainwater, and greening the entire site. In addition, the development of green spaces will mitigate the heat island phenomenon in summer and provide a comfortable living environment for residents. Along the south side of the site, along the Ebikawa River, walking paths and water-friendly open spaces will be created, and a planting plan that includes cherry trees will provide a place to relax and enjoy the changing seasons. These riverside green spaces and pedestrian networks will connect to the surrounding area, forming a pedestrian route connecting the Funabashi Station area to the north and the wholesale market area to the south. In terms of regional collaboration, we are considering the development of commercial facilities and event spaces where market visitors can easily stop by in coordination with the adjacent Funabashi Market. For example, plans are expected to incorporate the unique charm of “Funabashi, a town with a market,” such as a market linked to the bustling morning market and events at the market, and the attraction of shops selling local products. Additionally, disaster prevention measures are being considered, with squares and roads designed to function as evacuation routes and shelters in the event of a disaster. The project aims to create a safe haven for local residents by ensuring earthquake-resistant building structures and securing emergency power supplies. By integrating these facilities and plans, the project seeks to realize an environmentally friendly, community-oriented, and livable city.