Until recently, Nintendo spent years reaping massive profits with its Wii console and DS handheld. Now, the company is reinvesting some of its earnings into a massive research and development facility near its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan.

　　Nintendo's new R&D facility will be close to its headquarters (pictured).

　　According to a Nikkan report translated by Andria Sang, the R&D facility will begin construction in January 2012, with a projected 2013 completion date. Its price tag will be around ¥12 billion ($144.4 million), and it will rise seven stories off the ground. Its location will be a 40,582 square meter former golf course in Kyoto's Minami Ward, the same ward as Nintendo's headquarters building. The company's current main R&D facility is located in the more distant Higashiyama Ward.

　　The new building's closer proximity to its headquarters will improve efficiency because it will allow its 1,500 employees to be much closer to Nintendo's headquarters. When complete, the new facility will become Nintendo's flagship R&D facility and will focus on product development.