Construction Begins at OMA / Shohei Shigematsu’s Commercial and Cultural Center in Harajuku, Tokyo

The Harajuku Quest, designed by Shohei Shigematsu and OMA New York, represents a renewed commercial and cultural center in the Harajuku district of Tokyo. Located on a site in between Omotesando and Oku-Harajuku, the building is the newest phase of NTT’s “With Harajuku”, a larger urban development that aims to facilitate the flow of people through a series of squares and commercial areas. Harajuku Quest plans to draw people and activities from both Omotesando and Oku-Harajuku and connect the two areas for the first time. Construction is expected to complete in 2025.

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Omotesando is an area defined by a strong urban identity with a strong axial thoroughfare in an area defined by winding, non-linear streets. The urban corridors are recognizable by the wide sidewalks lined with zelkova trees, and the attractive commercial facilities, including flagships for well-recognized brands. The growing need for extensive branding in retail architecture had led a growth in the size of the buildings overtime.