The Art of Living at La Tour by Sumitomo

In the early 2000s, Sumitomo Realty and Development Ltd. made a groundbreaking move in Tokyo’s real estate landscape by launching the La Tour series, an elite collection of residential properties. This premier brand caters specifically to a discerning clientele that includes expatriates, executives, and high-profile residents, positioning La Tour as one of the most exclusive and luxurious options for rental living in Japan. Today, with 30 properties in Tokyo and additional locations across Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, and soon Yokohama, La Tour represents the ultimate in modern urban luxury. Here, we explore what sets La Tour properties apart.

The Four Pillars of La Tour

At the core of the La Tour brand are four defining values: Exclusivity, Luxury, Privacy, and Security. Every building, amenity, and service embodies these principles, creating an experience that rivals high-end hotels while providing a private, personalized residential setting.

1. Luxury at Every Turn

La Tour residences redefine luxury with features that reflect both quality and attention to detail. Each property offers amenities and design choices rarely seen in Tokyo, from spacious layouts to hotel-grade services. For instance, the upcoming La Tour Yokohama, set to open in 2027, includes a partnership with Hilton’s Conrad brand, offering 272 Conrad Hotel rooms on the lower floors and 224 La Tour residences on the upper floors. This collaboration introduces a new level of hybrid luxury where residents benefit from high-end hotel services, such as housekeeping and room service, directly in their home environment.
Shared facilities across La Tour properties also cater to residents' varied lifestyles, with fitness centers, sky lounges, and even wedding chapels available. A hallmark of La Tour's luxury is the bilingual concierge team, which handles everything from arranging transportation to locating English-speaking doctors, underscoring Sumitomo’s commitment to an elevated resident experience.
La Tour’s focus on spacious living is another rare luxury in Tokyo. The average La Tour apartment is over 1,000 square feet, significantly larger than the city’s average of around 270 square feet. Ceiling heights also exceed the standard, measuring nearly 10 feet in some properties, creating an open, expansive feel more common in Western apartments and appealing to expatriates unaccustomed to Tokyo’s often compact housing.

2. Privacy for a Discerning Clientele

For La Tour residents, privacy is paramount. Low-rise properties like La Tour Daikanyama, for instance, feature balconies overlooking private courtyards, while high-rise buildings, known as "tower mansions," offer a natural sense of seclusion above Tokyo’s bustling streets. Residents enjoy exclusive access to private gyms, party rooms, and viewing lounges where they can unwind in a controlled, intimate environment. Sumitomo also selectively screens residents, ensuring a harmonious community of individuals who respect the privacy and quietude of La Tour living.

3. Uncompromising Security

La Tour properties are designed to provide high levels of security in response to the needs of high-profile residents. From initial visitor screening at the concierge to the use of security cards for elevator access, each building integrates multiple layers of security. For instance, visitors can only reach a resident’s floor after the concierge confirms their identity and grants access. Inside the apartments, auto-lock doors and intercom systems offer further peace of mind, and the concierge team can discreetly decline guests on a resident’s behalf if requested.

This stringent security system extends to deliveries, with Sumitomo adapting policies for services like UberEats to ensure seamless yet secure delivery while maintaining residents' privacy.

4. The Height of Exclusivity

Each La Tour property upholds a standard of exclusivity that is both welcoming and selective. Some properties, like La Tour Minami-Azabu, even require prospective tenants to have prior residency in another La Tour building, ensuring familiarity with the brand’s lifestyle standards.
For those interested in blending residential and business life, La Tour Central Park Tower Shinjuku permits SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) arrangements, allowing tenants to conduct business from home. These units come equipped with high-speed internet, soundproofed meeting spaces, and additional power outlets, making them ideal for entrepreneurs and executives who prefer to work from home. In a city where dedicated office space is often at a premium, this flexibility is a significant draw.

La Tour Amenities and In-Unit Features

Beyond size and service, La Tour properties offer a range of in-unit amenities that are both practical and luxurious. In contrast to typical Japanese apartments, many La Tour units feature dishwashers, garbage disposals, and built-in ovens. Residents can also enjoy underfloor heating and high-speed internet access. La Tour is also notably pet-friendly, a rare feature in Japan’s rental market, providing residents with a welcoming environment for their pets or the opportunity to adopt while living in Tokyo.

Prime Locations Across Tokyo and Beyond

One of La Tour’s strengths is its selection of highly desirable locations. The 30 Tokyo properties include some of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minami-Azabu, and Yoyogi Uehara, among others. These neighborhoods offer residents proximity to Tokyo’s cultural, culinary, and commercial highlights while maintaining a degree of separation from the city’s busiest areas.
Among the La Tour properties, La Tour Daikanyama stands out as one of the most exclusive, with rental prices reaching as high as ¥5,000,000 (around $32,000) per month. This property exemplifies the brand’s focus on luxury, with sophisticated architecture and high-end finishes that appeal to Japan’s wealthiest residents.

Expansion Beyond Tokyo

Sumitomo has extended the La Tour brand to Osaka, Kyoto, and Sapporo, and with the upcoming Yokohama location, it continues to grow its presence. Each location is selected for its appeal to international residents and its alignment with Sumitomo’s reputation for luxury, offering a consistent experience regardless of city.

The La Tour Legacy

Sumitomo Realty and Development Ltd. created La Tour as a response to a gap in Japan’s rental market, specifically to meet the needs of expatriates and international businesspeople. By prioritizing size, service, and amenities that cater to Western sensibilities, Sumitomo has effectively redefined what it means to live luxuriously in Japan.
Today, La Tour properties remain some of the most sought-after rentals in Japan. Their commitment to offering unparalleled luxury, convenience, and security ensures that La Tour will continue to set the standard for high-end residential living in Tokyo and beyond. Whether for a family relocating to Tokyo or an executive seeking a home office solution, La Tour’s properties represent the pinnacle of urban luxury living in Japan.