Demolition of "Aka Puri" Begins Symbol of the vanishing bubble

November 14, 2012, Tokyo, Japan - Against the backdrop of the autumn sky, Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka still stands majestically after demolition work got underway at Tokyo's upscale residential and commercial area of Akasaka on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. The high-rise hotel once boasted spectacular night view of the nation's capital closed the visitors' book on its 55-year history in June 2011. The hotel was originally slated to close its door in March but remained open to give shelter to those affected by the March 11 diaster in Japan's northeastern region. Once the building is totally demolished, railway and hotel operator Seibu Holdings will construct two buildings - a 36-story structure consisting of offices, a hotel and a commercial complex; and a 24-story building comprising rental apartments that are scheduled to open in summer 2016. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO) AYF -mis-