SAPPORO Sapporo Daibiru Building Redevelopment Project

PIVOT: Predecessor to Sapporo Daibiru

We chose Sapporo as our third Japanese hub, after Osaka and Tokyo, recognizing its strong future potential, exemplified by its wealth of tourism resources and advancing new industries. The predecessor to this project, PIVOT, was a fashion center, popular with young locals. Not only was the building well-known, its location in the lively Odori area, in the heart of Sapporo, enables us to paint a vision for its redevelopment as a new landmark: nothing could be more ideal for our first foray into the city. We commenced the project in this location conscious of the expectations of the community.

Crafting our first urban planning proposal

By engaging in conversations with Sapporo City and local residents, we were able to understand the challenges facing the area. We proposed our company’s first urban planning initiative, believing that formulation of a district plan was essential for resolving the issues.
Taking the lead in promoting area development as one of the key organizing companies, we secured cooperation from local landowners to help formulate the Odori T-Zone Sapporo Eki-mae Dori District plan, which was formalized into law in March 2022.

The challenge of mixed-use development

In formulating a district plan, we considered the kind of building that would be most appreciated here. Leveraging the intermingling business and commercial areas, and direct connection to the Pole Town underground arcade, we hope to foster even more charisma and buzz for the Odori area. Consequently, we accepted the fresh challenge of creating a mixed-use building, combining lower-level retail facilities, mid-level office spaces, and an upper-level hotel.

Sapporo has few luxury hotels, long sought after by inbound and domestic visitors. In order to develop a grand facility that also caters to locals, we partnered with TRUNK (HOTEL), actualizing its Sapporo debut. The office ranks among the most spacious in the Odori area, offering a comfortable environment created through Daibiru’s experience and expertise, honed in Osaka and Tokyo. The retail facilities will maximize the potential of Sapporo’s principal thoroughfare, Eki-mae Dori, by featuring an array of luxury brands to produce an air of refinement and pizazz. The northern zone, on Naka-dori Avenue (commonly known as Oyoyo-dori), will have a deliberately intricate design to evoke curiosity. Here, we have plans for small-scale lots, with myriad quality stores that entice regular visits for those in the know. We will also repave the road itself, to reinvigorate this street that was formerly a gathering point for young people.

Our intention in the mixed-use format is not isolated operation, but rather, of a single building that generates synergy through organic interrelation. These connections will not be limited to “things,” but also people, by facilitating interaction between locals and visitors, and even “time,” by reflecting Sapporo’s history and culture, with the aim to diffuse this throughout the Odori area.

Urban design cherished by the community

Through discussions about our urban planning proposal, we sensed the community’s love for the area and their hopes for its development. We were also able to convey our sincere desire to create new value and reinvigorate the Odori area into an even more vibrant destination. While this project presents new challenges for Daibiru, we will leverage our expertise, with fresh approaches, to create a precinct cherished by the community. United as a team, we are committed to our core mission of creating communities and aspire to grow as true developers.