Construction begins on Shibuya Upper West Project in Tokyo
Work has broken ground on Snøhetta-designed Shibuya Upper West Project, approximately 119,000 sqm mixed-use development for Tokyu Corporation, L Catterton Real Estate, and Tokyu Department Store. The project has been developed in collaboration with Nikken Sekkei Ltd and Ishimoto Architectural & Engineering Firm as Executive Architects. The breaking ground ceremony took place on March 11, 2025, and construction is set to be completed in 2029.
Located in Shoto, Shibuya Upper West Project (SUW) will be a unique node between the bustling Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the cultural neighborhoods and the quiet residential area of Shoto. This cultural, mixed used redevelopment sits on the former Tokyu Department Store's flagship store and features a hotel, rental residences, retail amenities, and the relocated and expanded The Bunkamura Museum of Art.
Photo: Snøhetta
Tokyo’s Urban Retreat - A Tribute to the Duality of the City
Designed as a single volume, Shibuya Upper West Project gracefully spirals and ascends from ground to sky. The design concept draws inspiration from the image of a single stroke, symbolizing the pulsating energy of Shibuya.
Envisioned as both a landmark and landform, SUW will be visible as a green destination in Tokyo with its lush sloping pinnacle and terraced steps. The building features serene roof platforms where visitors can relax and unwind, as well as various voids, oculus, and connections that invite people further in and up. The project aims to achieve the highest possible sustainability ratings.
Cultural Oasis - The Bunkamura Museum of Art
Situated atop SUW's podium is The Bunkamura Museum of Art, also designed by Snøhetta. Since its opening in 1989, the museum has been recognized as a center for transmitting and cultivating culture. The development will feature series of exhibition rooms, with a total exhibition area of approximately 1,000 sqm adjoining garden of the Sanctuary terrace.
The expanded facilities will enable the museum to host large-scale exhibitions in a wider range of fields and cement Shibuya Upper West Project as a new landmark for art and culture.