What could have been a boring American-style glass and steel box is saved from mediocrity by the channels running down its east and west sides. They hold recessed cross braces that add a visual element emphasizing strength and size. Each X is six stories tall. However, close up, the building works well on a human scale. There is a sunken garden and a surprising amount of room in its public plaza which welcomes pedestrians rather than imposing on them. The black horizontal bands do a good job of setting this skyscraper apart from its lighter-colored neighbors. Although, it might be more accurate to say that its neighbors went with a lighter color to be different than the Shinjuku Mitsui Building. That's because this was one of the first skyscrapers in the Shinjuku urban core.