Canal City Hakata
{{Expand Japanese|topic=struct|date=April 2025}}
{{Short description|Shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka, Japan}}
File:Canal City Hakata logo.png
{{Nihongo|Canal City Hakata|キャナルシティ博多}} is a large shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka, Japan. Called the "city within the city," it hosts shops, cafes, restaurants, a theater, game center, cinemas, two hotels, and a canal, which runs through the complex.{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4800.html|title=Canal City|date=2005-02-07|publisher=Japan Guide|accessdate=2008-11-25}}
Located adjacent to Fukuoka's entertainment district and between the commercial and retail core of the city, Canal City has become a tourist attraction and commercial success for Fukuoka. It is the largest private development in the history of Japan ($1.4 billion for 234,460 m2 (2.5-million sq. ft.)). The complex is built with a distinctive fanciful style, with many curving sculptures and fountains and the city of Fukuoka hardly visible, to create an atmosphere like an oasis away from the rest of the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.archidose.org/Jan01/012201.html|title=Canal City Hakata|publisher=A Weekly Dose of Architecture|accessdate=2008-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205095104/http://www.archidose.org/Jan01/012201.html|archive-date=2008-12-05|url-status=usurped}}
History
Canal City Hakata began construction on June 3, 1993, and opened for business on April 20, 1996.{{cite web |url=https://fukuokajisho.com/en/company/history/ |title=History and Development |publisher=Fukuoka Jisho |access-date=2024-08-01}} The complex was designed by The Jerde Partnership and operated by Fukuoka Jisho. With Canal City in business, areas around the complex began to see increased success as well. The nearby food markets, in decline and seeing little business, began to rebuild and rehire shops because of the foot traffic from the mall.{{cite web|url=http://www.jerde.com/projects/project.php?id=40|title=Jerde: Canal City Hakata|publisher=Jerde|accessdate=2008-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220225024/http://www.jerde.com/projects/project.php?id=40|archive-date=2008-12-20|url-status=dead}}
In 2001, the Megastore Building was renovated and renamed the South Building. In addition, the Ramen Stadium was opened, featuring a handful of Fukuoka's best ramen restaurants. In 2010, the Canal City Theater opened, followed by the East Building a year later. In 2016, Canal City Hakata celebrated its 20th anniversary with Japan's largest 3D projection mapping and the "Aqua Panorama" fountain. In 2017, the mall reached its peak of 17 million visitors, totaling over 300 million visitors.
In 2023, the East Building was permanently closed due to slow sales. Fukuoka Jisho planned to demolish it and replace it with a luxury condominium.{{cite web |url=https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/news/canal-east-building-to-be-rebuilt-into-condominiums/ |title=Canal East Building To Be Rebuilt Into Condominiums |website=Fukuoka Now |date=2023-01-24 |access-date=2024-08-01}} However, as of 2024, the building remains standing due to rising demolition costs and labor shortages.{{cite web |url=https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/news/canal-city-hakata-east-building-redevelopment-plan-review/ |title=Canal City Hakata East Building Redevelopment Plan Review |website=Fukuoka Now |date=2024-07-23 |access-date=2024-08-01}}
Gallery
Image:Canal city hakata fukuoka.jpg|Swirl patterns dominate the design of Canal City
Image:Canal city hakata fukuoka2.jpg|A narrow pool runs the length of Canal City
Image:Canalcityhakatainner.jpg|Canal City's pool and hedge balconies
Image:Canal city hakata fukuoka3.jpg|Fountains synchronized with music "dance" every hour
Image:CanalCity Far.JPG|Canal City from the outside
Image:East Canal from Entrance of Hakata Police Station Crossroads 2.jpg|The former East Building
See also
- Jerde-associated architectural projects in Japan:
- Namba Parks (Osaka)
- Riverwalk Kitakyushu
- Roppongi Hills (Tokyo)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Canal City Hakata}}
- {{Official website|https://canalcity.co.jp/english}}
{{Coord|33|35|28|N|130|24|38|E|region:JP_source:kolossus-jawiki|display=title}}
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Category:Buildings and structures in Fukuoka
Category:Tourist attractions in Fukuoka
Category:Shopping malls established in 1996