Pickard Chilton has completed the master plan for Global Gateway Shinagawa, a transformative redevelopment of the northern portion of Tokyo's Shinagawa Station and railyard, reminiscent of New York's own Hudson Yards. The master plan has recently been reviewed and certified by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Global Gateway Shinagawa comprises 13.6 million square foot of development and will create a new global hub that will connect Tokyo to the world. This next-generation urban environment will be a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, representing Japan's openness and creating a bridge between Tokyo-based businesses and the international community.
"It is a tremendous honor to have been selected for this project which is part of one of Japan's busiest transportation nodes," noted William D. Chilton, FAIA, RIBA principal of Pickard Chilton. "This is a significant project that will have a lasting impact on the city and its relationship with the world."
The development includes the construction of eight significant buildings linked together as an 'archipelago' along the one-mile length of the site and is comprised of 32 acres. Just as Japan's railways link together the islands of Japan, an elevated pedestrian promenade will connect the diverse buildings and public spaces of the master plan. The new buildings will provide office, retail, and residential space as well as cultural facilities, and will serve as the foreground for a series of public parks and plazas all interconnected by a one-mile long promenade. The redevelopment will have a diverse mix of uses and cohesive architectural identity and integrate with the new Takanawa Gateway Station, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates.
"A vibrant public realm is central to the project and key to the success of this type of urban redevelopment," added Chilton. "The Global Gateway Shinagawa project prioritizes sustainability and public-oriented landscape and will attract people of all ages, seamlessly connecting public space with retail, office, and transportation uses."
In addition to the master plan, Pickard Chilton is designing Block IV within the development, a 4.9 million square foot mixed-use complex that will comprise two 30-story towers connected by a seven-story podium, including office, conferencing, and retail space, as well as a five-star hotel.
Image: Courtesy of Pickard Chilton