Global Gateway Shinagawa

In one of the most densely developed wards in Tokyo, a mile-long (1.6 kilometers) rail yard cuts a swath through the urban fabric. Anchored by Tokyo’s first new rail station in 50 years on the Yamanote line, the Global Gateway Shinagawa master plan restitches the district with a vibrant mix of residential, retail, office, hotel, and cultural uses. The development is dedicated to supporting innovation and public engagement across all of its buildings and functions.

The site is knitted together by a pedestrian promenade whose sinuous design is inspired by the dynamic flow and movement of trains, people, and, historically, water at what was once the shoreline of Tokyo Bay. Currents flow through the district, creating a human-scaled framework for the streetscapes, plazas, and pocket parks. This dynamic movement and “flow” of the master plan is reflected in the composition of the buildings and the shaping of the tower tops.

Very different from ‘design guidelines’ or ‘form-based zoning’ documents, our Japanese/English Design Concept and Code book considers everything from the sweep of the plan’s mile-long promenade down to guidelines for exterior elevator signage. The aim of blending a concept and code document together was to create a truly cohesive expression of unity and harmony in the district.

It is estimated that 130,000 commuters will pass through Takanawa Station daily, who will share in the vitality of the Global Gateway Shinagawa public promenade.