The upgrading and renovation of Xi'dan Cultural Square is one of the key projects in Beijing to promote the functional construction of the Center for International Exchanges, which will effectively improve the environmental quality along West Chang'an Avenue and create a good atmosphere to ensure the success of major state events. After six years of renovation, Xi'dan Cultural Square will officially return on April 27th. Recently, the reporter visited and found that the renovated Xi'dan Cultural Square has turned into a park-like block, with a green park surrounded by green shade above the ground, as well as trendy and interesting commercial spaces underground, which will bring consumers a brand-new shopping experience. Through a series of slimming, upgrading and greening measures, the renovation of Xi'dan Cultural Square has solved many difficult problems in urban renewal projects, organically integrated public space and commercial space, and will build a brand-new trendy landmark in Xi'dan.
Breaking the Boundary of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces, the Square Evolves into a Park Block
Above the ground is a green park, and underground is commercial space. Although the fence outside the square has not been completely removed, if you look down from the overpass on the south side of Xi'dan North Street, you will find a commercial space hidden in the garden that has begun to take shape, and the workers there are carrying out the final decoration and cleaning to welcome its debut before May Day.
Before the renovation, Xi'dan Cultural Square used to be a trendy gathering place for young people. With small shops and lattice shops distributed throughout, the 77th Street Shopping Center was full of trendy clothes, ornaments and street snacks, attracting a large number of young people to shop for goods. However, as the facilities aged and with the rise of surrounding large shopping malls, the 77th Street Shopping Center began to need an urgent upgrade. In 2015, Xi'dan 77th Street Shopping Center closed down.
After six years of planning and renovation, Xi'dan Cultural Square has finally achieved its magnificent transformation. Presently, the whole square has become a park-like leisure space. With the urban forest surrounding the circular sunken square, people can enter the area from multiple entrances, just like walking in the park.
On the whole, the brand-new Xi'dan Cultural Square has broken the boundaries of nature, commerce, and art, to which the underground space now owes its above-ground feeling. It blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, giving people the experience of shopping in a park. At the same time, the square building weakens the commercial characteristics, displaying a simple gray tone as a whole and appearing more like a museum. After the official opening, the park grounds will be open 24 hours a day free of charge, and there will be rich and varied cultural activities in the public space, which will become a new landmark that appeals to young people.
The Underground Business Space is Renamed "Renewal Field" and Introduces a Large Number of Debut Stores
The charm of the upgraded Xi'dan Cultural Square lies not only in the free-stroll park experience, but also in its trendy and interesting commercial space. The underground commercial space of Xi'dan Cultural Square is now granted a brand-new name: "Renewal Field", which also can be interpreted as "Field of More Newness" with a changed intonation in Chinese.
"With the adroit use of a pun in the name, 'Renewal' is a response to history, while 'more newness' is an expectation for the future." According to the relevant person in charge of China Resources (Holdings) Co., Ltd., the project operator, based on the understanding of the site and the positioning of the customer base, the project joined hands with Liu Zhizhi, a teacher and designer at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, to make the name "Renewal Field" more concrete and visible.
Speaking about the origin of the name "Renewal Field", Liu Zhizhi explained that this commercial site does not have a clear appellation in the public impression, so there was not much historical burden when naming it. Xi'dan, as one of the source regions of Beijing's commercial development, stands at the forefront of renewal" in almost every historical stage. The reason why it is called "field" comes from the hope that it will not only be a commercial entity, but also a place with vitality and many possibilities.
With its brand-new name, the underground commercial space of Xi'dan Cultural Square highlights the "new" features and introduces a large number of characteristic shops. From trendy fashion to snacks, from art and culture to lifestyle, a series of fresh and interesting brands have settled in Xi'dan together, which are all different from the brands in other shopping malls on Xi'dan Commercial Street.
The first store in Beijing for Japan's popular egg tart brand and the first stores in China for Japanese designer brands…With the appearance of the "Renewal Field", many brands will also usher in their "first showing". According to the project party, the "Renewal Field" has introduced dozens of brands focused on youth, arts, culture, and design, nearly half of which are establishing their first stores in China, first stores in Beijing, or first stores in Beijing's West District, and also has a collection of high-level concept stores, attracting young people who are presently trend seekers.
The reappearance of Xi'dan Cultural Square will be integrated with the Xi'dan Business Circle. The reporter noticed that the renovated square was equipped with many straight ladders and step ladders, so that people could easily wander between different floors. There is also a roof garden on the top floor of the square, which is connected with the overpass, which makes Xi'dan Cultural Square open up the double-deck space with Hanguang Department Store next to it and Juntai Department Store across the road.
Previously, there were 4 floors of underground commercial space beneath the square. After renovation this was changed to 3 floors, of which the first and second basement levels are used for commercial retail and basement level 3 is a parking lot. The square is not only connected by underground Exits A and B to Xi'dan Station of Metro Line 1, but also connected to Exit F of Line 4.
The Square Connects to the Subway and Multiple Commercial Entities, Making Transportation More Convenient.
When it is open for business, consumers can directly reach Basement Level 1 of the square after exiting the subway and visit various shops along the circular block. The "Renewal Field" has set up various types of leisure businesses, such as coffee and dessert vendors, near subway exits, while Basement Level 2 is centered on clothing and accessories, trendy gifts, beauty care, digital services and bookstores, etc. In the future, cultural and artistic-related activities will be held regularly in the "Renewal Field".
With the brand-new appearance of the above-ground and underground space of Xi'dan Cultural Square, the busy Xi'dan Business Circle will go further in rejuvenation and trendiness, attracting more young people.
(Reporter: Ma Jing)
