Opening Spring 2020. Tenants decided for Kyoto's "Shin-Pukan" complex.

With its opening planned for Spring 2020, the "Shin-Pukan Redevelopment Project" underway at the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office site has announced its facility name as "Shin-Pukan" and revealed an overview of its facility composition, including tenant details.

(Image provided by Kengo Kuma & Associates)

A New Complex Featuring Ace Hotel, BEAMS JAPAN, and More

The reborn facility will retain the name and the exterior of the historic former Kyoto Central Telephone Office building, inheriting the previous concept of "the fusion of tradition and innovation." Development is proceeding with the incorporation of new added value throughout.

Scheduled to house a total of 20 commercial zone shops and restaurants, including the mini-theater "Uplink Kyoto," as well as first-time openings in Kansai and new business formats, a pop-up space, and "Ace Hotel Kyoto."

This facility is poised to bring a fresh breeze to Kyoto, serving as an exchange hub for travelers and local residents, thereby adding further vibrancy to the city.

At the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office site, a portion of the building, designated as Kyoto City's first registered cultural property, has been preserved and renovated. With the desire to "blow a new wind into Kyoto," the commercial facility was named "Shin-Pukan" and was utilized by local residents from 2001 to 2016.

The "Shin-Pukan Redevelopment Project," which began construction in October 2017, aims to create a "facility that becomes a landmark of the city with its unique charm," by not only regenerating and utilizing the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office but also by inheriting the concept of "the fusion of tradition and innovation" and the commercial facility name "Shin-Pukan" from the former Shin-Pukan, thereby weaving together the memories of the town.

■ "Uplink Kyoto," a Mini-Theater Delivering New Film Culture Through Diverse Films
"Uplink," popular in Tokyo as a mini-theater that fosters a local film culture with its patrons, makes its Kansai debut with "Uplink Kyoto." This will be the third "Uplink" location, following Shibuya and Kichijoji in Tokyo, and is expected to invigorate Kyoto's cultural scene.

■ Shops & Restaurants: Beloved Local Establishments, First-Time Openings in Kansai and Kyoto, and New Business Formats
A diverse array of unique shops and restaurants, including "1LDK," "GLOBE SPECS KYOTO," and "BEAMS JAPAN," opening in Kansai for the first time, along with new formats like "THISISSHIZEN" and "DIG THE LINE BOTTLE&BAR," will gather here. Additionally, beloved local establishments such as "Gyoza Dokoro Ryosho" will also be present.

■ Pop-Up Space to Create Vibrancy within the Facility
This facility plans to operate a pop-up space to accommodate the needs of various companies and organizations for exhibitions and events. By considering collaboration with local communities and co-creation with local businesses, and by pursuing unique developments within this facility, it aims to provide new experiential value to visitors, including global travelers, contribute to regional revitalization, and enhance the city's appeal.

■ A New Breeze from "Ace Hotel," Making Its Asian Debut
The American brand "Ace Hotel" will open "Ace Hotel Kyoto," its first property in Asia, within this facility. While respecting and coexisting with each other's cultures, it will attract travelers drawn to creativity, despite its upper-grade positioning, bringing a new wind to Kyoto's traditions and history.

■ Interior Design Harmoniously Blending Kyoto's Essence with Modern Chic
The exterior design by Kengo Kuma extensively utilizes louvers and wooden joinery, thoughtfully considering harmony with Kyoto's cityscape. It combines the wooden joinery, inheriting Kyoto's traditional craftsmanship, with the red bricks of the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office designed by Tetsuro Yoshida, a master of modern Japanese architecture. The facade facing Aneyakoji and Higashinotouin streets, where the old townscape remains, employs delicate louvers and mesh to echo the subtlety of these streets, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and materials.

The facility comprises a "Preservation Building" (B2F-3F), which regenerates and utilizes a part of the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office facing Karasuma Street, and a "New Building" (B2F-7F) facing Higashinotouin Street. The Preservation Building will house shops & restaurants on the 1st floor and "Ace Hotel Kyoto" on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The New Building will feature "Uplink Kyoto" on the B1F, shops & restaurants on the 1st floor, and "Ace Hotel Kyoto" on parts of the 1st floor and floors 2F-7F. Additionally, B2F will be newly connected to Exit 5 of Kyoto Municipal Subway's Karasuma Oike Station, enhancing convenience for subway users.

【Gourmet / Sweets】
Ocha to Sake Tasuki ShinPuhKan, Gyoza Dokoro Ryosho, Kuzushi Tori Kappo SuehiroGari Kyoto, green bean to bar CHOCOLATE, Tempura "Tora", DIG THE LINE BOTTLE&BAR

【Fashion / Lifestyle】
uka store kyoto ShinPuhKan, GLOBE SPECS KYOTO, JOHN SMEDLEY, TRAVELER'S FACTORY KYOTO, BEAMS JAPAN, Pilgrim Surf+Supply, bonjour records, Hon to Yasai OyOy, MAISON KITSUNÉ KYOTO ShinPuhKan, CAFÉ KITSUNÉ KYOTO ShinPuhKan, Y. & SONS, LE LABO KYOTO, 1LDK