Urban Renewal!

 The :Now" picture was taken from Shibuya Sky, a rooftop viewing area with panoramic views

No, the escalator does not rise from the ground floor, but it's the most scenic escalator we've ever ridden. 

Give Them an Inch...

...and they'll build on it! Or so it seems in Japan. 

Here you have a house, a noodle shop and apartments, built on a minimum footprint!