© Klein Dytham architecture / Photography: Shingo Nakashima

The 2020 Summer Olympics were to be a huge catalyst in tourism for both Tokyo, as the hosting city, and Japan, shaking up the local hospitality scene with numerous hotel openings and smart refurbishments. The recently opened Toggle Hotel hotel, situated just north of the Imperial Palace in the heart of the Japanese capital, has anticipated the increased volume of globetrotting gaijins with understated, modern, and features bold colour-infused premises. The hospitality division of owner Atrium, a multi-faceted Tokyo-based corporation, set up the hotel in a purpose-built structure wedged in between busy railway lines and a flyover of the equally bustling Tohoku Expressway, and tapped practice Klein Dytham architecture to design both the building and the interior. Given the fact that this sprawling city boasts an abundance of generic architecture, an effort was made to create a landmark structure with a distinctive façade that reflects Tokyo‘s inimitable energy and buzz, and as such, make it stand out. While the architecture emphasises the horizontal movement of cars and trains, with continuous window bands which trace the dynamism of the urban infrastructure and express speed, a bright yellow and grey pattern on the façade is a nod to the graphic markings on the expressway’s asphalt. Interestingly, Toggle Hotel‘s lobby and reception desk are situated on the top floor, and the space also serves as a café and social meeting space. The nine-storey property features 85 rooms in various categories, each offering all the comfort and amenities of today’s modern leisure and business traveller, including rooms accommodating more than two people. As said, this place isn’t shy of colour, so each floor boasts a different hue which extends into each room. Next to the aforementioned café, Toggle Hotel has a laundry room and service, offers WiFi throughout the premises, and last but certainly not least, and adopted an eco-friendly policy which aims to reduce waste and save paper resources. Complementing the design-led premises is a fitting brand identity created by Japanese brand consultancy and design practice artless.

Toggle Hotel
3-11-4 Iidabashi (Suidobashi)
Tokyo 102-0072

© Klein Dytham architecture / Photography: Shingo Nakashima