Hotel Development Utilizing the Former Kyoto Shimbun Headquarters Building

Taisei Corporation (President: Yoshio Aikawa), Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd. (President: Kiyoyuki Domoto), and Minor International PCL (Founder & Chairman: William Ellwood Heinecke) have established a special purpose company (company name: Kyoto Gosho-minami Development SPC) last November, and have leased from Kyoto Shimbun Holdings Co., Ltd. (President: Yusuke Onishi) the 3,894 m² land along Karasuma-dori in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto. The three companies will jointly develop a hotel on the site.

The project site is located along Karasuma-dori, a major street in central Kyoto directly connected to Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, and is within walking distance of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the World Heritage Site Nijo Castle.

In this development, we will honor the history of Kyoto Shimbun, which celebrates its 150th anniversary, and preserve the exterior and design elements of the former Kyoto Shimbun headquarters, which has been part of the local landscape for about 60 years. The plan is to regenerate the building into a hotel that adds various functions open to the community, including public spaces such as a restaurant and lobby lounge that utilize the former rotary press room. Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. plans to open the (provisional) "Avani Kyoto" aiming for fiscal 2029.

The Avani Hotels & Resorts brand, making its first entry into Japan through Minor Hotels, is a premium lifestyle hotel brand centered on "lifestyle, refined design, vibrant and friendly service," respecting local history and culture. Under that operational philosophy, we will develop hotels that harmonize with the community.

Furthermore, the project site has been a location where Kyoto Shimbun Holdings has walked together with the local community for about 100 years. Together with Kyoto Shimbun Holdings, we will carry out initiatives that give back to local residents, not only to hotel guests.

[Development Overview] (As of June 15, 2026, planned)

Project name

(Tentative) Kyoto Shimbun Building Redevelopment Project

Developer

Kyoto Gosho-minami Development SPC

Location (address)

337 Shoshoui Otabi-cho, Karasuma-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto (and others)

Site area

3,894 m²

Total floor area

Approximately 23,000 m²

Structure/Scale

Reinforced concrete

Renovation building (former north building): 8 stories above ground / 2 basement levels

New building (former south building): 5 stories above ground / 1 basement level

Building use

Hotel (both renovated and new buildings: approximately 240 rooms in total)

Opening period

Scheduled within fiscal 2029

*This development overview is current as of this time and may change due to future design and negotiations.

(Conceptual) appearance of Avani Kyoto

*This is a conceptual exterior image at this time and is subject to change based on future design and coordination.

Avani Hotels & Resorts

Avani Hotels & Resorts targets millennial and Gen Z travelers seeking a balance of contemporary and functional features, offering considerate social spaces and locally inspired hospitality. The brand currently operates over 40 hotels worldwide.

Taisei Corporation

URL: https://www.taisei.co.jp/

Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd.

URL: https://www.heiwa-net.co.jp/

About Minor International PCL and Minor Hotels

Minor International PCL is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and is one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Its core company, Minor Hotels, is a global hospitality leader operating and developing more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 63 countries.

URL: https://www.minor.com/en/home

https://www.minorhotels.com/ja

Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd.

URL: https://www.royal-minor-hotels.co.jp/

For media inquiries

Taisei Corporation, Corporate Communications Dept., Public Relations Office: 03-5381-5011

Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd., General Affairs Dept., PR & Branding Promotion Office: 03-3666-0182

Minor International PCL: +662-365-7500