Snøhetta has unveiled the design for its largest project in Japan to date, a mixed-use development in Tokyo offering retail, a hotel, and art and cultural experiences.
The 117,000-square-metre Shibuya Upper West Project is located in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Billed as the city’s newest ‘urban retreat’, it is scheduled for completion in 2027.
“In such a well-known and historically significant area in one of the world’s most exciting cities, the project is paying homage to and respecting traditions as well as looking ahead,” said Robert Greenwood, partner and managing director of Snøhetta Hong Kong.
“We aim to design for the future and aspire to find the most sustainable solutions, contributing to Japan’s goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050.”
Shibuya Upper West Project in Tokyo
The project will be developed in collaboration with the adjacent Bunkamara cultural complex, which promotes art and culture throughout Tokyo.
According to a news release, the 36-storey building pays tribute to “the distant foothills of Mount Fuji”. Snøhetta plans to achieve the highest possible sustainability ratings for the Shibuya Upper West Project.
“Snøhetta’s heritage rooted in Norway, one of the most sustainable countries in the world, places social and environmental sustainability at the heart of every project,” said Kazuo Takahashi, president and representative director of Tokyu Corporation.
Earlier this year, Oriental Land Co announced that Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain coaster and the surrounding area in Tomorrowland will undergo a major renovation.
The existing Space Mountain ride will close in 2024. The JPY 56 billion ($438m) project is due to open in 2027.
Images: Snøhetta
