2025年10月14日

Redevelopment of Kita 4 Nishi 3 District Begins in Earnest

 

—Sapporo’s Gateway Is About to Be Reborn—

 

In recent years, Sapporo’s city center has seen a wave of large-scale redevelopment projects. Among them, one of the most highly anticipated is the Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project for the Kita 4 Nishi 3 District, located at the south exit of JR Sapporo Station.

This area—where Kita 5-jo and Teine-dori intersect with Sapporo Ekimae-dori—is considered the symbolic gateway to the city. It’s also familiar to many as the former site of the Seibu Department Store (formerly Gobankan). Since its closure, the building had deteriorated, and the area had long awaited the right moment for revitalization.

Aiming to Create a New Face for Sapporo

Designated as a Priority Urban Regeneration Area, this district is expected to become a space worthy of Sapporo’s role as the capital of Hokkaido. Since the launch of the “Kita 4 Nishi 3 District Urban Planning Review Committee” in 2017, the project has steadily progressed through key milestones: the formation of a preparatory association in 2019, urban planning approval in 2022, and rights conversion plan authorization in 2024. Finally, in March 2025, full-scale construction began.

Two-Tower Complex Integrating Retail, Office, and Lodging Functions

The redevelopment site spans approximately 1.7 hectares, with major stakeholders including Heiwa Real Estate, Yodobashi Holdings, Kajima Corporation, Daibiru, and Chuo-Nihon Land and Building Co., Ltd.

The project consists of two buildings, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2028:

North Tower (Retail Building): 9 stories above ground and 7 below, approximately 60 meters tall.
A low-rise structure housing shops and parking, designed to blend with the streetscape of Sapporo Station’s surroundings.

South Tower (Retail + Office Building): 33 stories above ground and 5 below, approximately 160 meters tall.
One of the tallest buildings in the Sapporo Station area, it will feature offices, retail spaces, and lodging facilities.

Enhancing the Underground Network for a Walkable Sapporo

This redevelopment is coordinated with the Sapporo Station South-North Subway Line Improvement Project. The underground pedestrian network connecting Sapporo Station to the Odori area will be further expanded, making “walkable Sapporo” a more tangible reality—allowing comfortable movement regardless of weather conditions.

Just a few more years until the station-front landscape is transformed. Upon completion, a new landmark integrating commerce, business, and hospitality will emerge. The evolution of Sapporo’s urban core is something to keep a close eye on.

 

As of October 14th 2025

Completion Area Map (from the City of Sapporo website)

Completion image ( from the City of Sapporo website )

Cross-sectional diagram ( from the City of Sapporo website )