DN Tower 21

The DN Tower 21 in Tokyo's Yūrakuchō district is a modern office building that stands on a historically significant site across from the Imperial Palace. The complex recalls the postwar era, when General Douglas MacArthur made his headquarters here as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. The current high-rise was built between 1988 and 1995 and replaced two older buildings from the 1930s that had been designed in the neoclassical style. The redevelopment deliberately incorporated historical elements, including the so-called MacArthur Memorial Room on the sixth floor and reconstructed Ionic columns from the old facade. This careful preservation of the past led to the first application of a special preservation permit in Japan. The 21-story building, which was designated a historic structure in 2004, still serves as the headquarters of Dai-ichi Life Insurance. Visitors can experience the architectural blend of modern structure and preserved history, which reflects the complex uses of the site, from its days as a banking address through the military occupation to the present day.