Canal City Hakata

Transformative mixed-use

In the late 1980s, the city of Fukuoka was struggling with a massive influx of people, a dying shopping district, and no sense of community. JERDE responded with Canal City Hakata, the largest, privately developed project in Japan's history at the time, and our primary mixed-use project. Canal City Hakata used water and nature, and bold forms and colors to establish a unique destination for the city.

At a Glance

Project Type

Mixed-Use, Retail, Hospitality, Open/Public Space, Sports & Entertainment

Location

Fukuoka, Japan

Size

2,605,000 sq ft

Client

Fukuoka Jisho Company

Services

Architecture
world map
A port city, Fukuoka had long been a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange in East Asia.
A port city, Fukuoka had long been a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange in East Asia.
Built on the site of a vacant clothing factory that had sat vacant for years, Canal City revitalized the area.
Built on the site of a vacant clothing factory that had sat vacant for years, Canal City revitalized the area.

Sales Exceeded $500 Million in First Year

Concept & Process

Inspired by the project's location on the Naka River, a manmade canal forms Canal City Hakata's "main street" and organizing element for its five districts, which are inspired by the universal elements of sun, moon, stars, sea, and earth.

Nature is Canal City Hakata's metaphor, echoed in the use of water as the organizing element; the gentle arc of the canal, as well as the lush greenery that lines the
Nature is Canal City Hakata's metaphor, echoed in the use of water as the organizing element; the gentle arc of the canal, as well as the lush greenery that lines the "canyon" walls.
canal and bridge

Also referencing the metaphor of nature are the gentle arc of the canal and the stratified layering of the buildings lining the canal which reference the creation of a canyon as a river slowly cuts a path through rocks.

theater - full bleed

The project was a tremendous success - the neighboring, historic shopping arcade reversed years of decline thanks to increased foot traffic. Cinema attendance city-wide rose 50 percent. And Fukuoka was dubbed AsiaWeek's "Best City in Asia" the year after Canal City opened.

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