Renowned architecture firm OMA has completed Harajuku Quest, a cutting-edge commercial complex in Tokyo's vibrant Harajuku district that is set to open its doors on September 11th, 2025. The first stores will welcome visitors on the opening date, with additional retailers joining through a phased rollout beginning in November. This major redevelopment project represents a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of one of Tokyo's most culturally important neighborhoods.
The 4,300-square-meter architectural project was strategically designed to bridge two dramatically different urban environments within the NTT Urban Development Corporation's broader vision for Harajuku's future. On one side lies the grand, tree-lined Omotesando Avenue with its flagship retail stores, while on the other sits the dense, intimate Oku-Harajuku district known for its independent shops and creative energy. Construction on this ambitious redevelopment began in October 2022, replacing the original Harajuku Quest building that had served the community since 1988.
The building's innovative design features distinctly different architectural approaches on each side, reflecting the unique character of its neighboring areas. Facing Omotesando Avenue, the structure presents a monolithic, transparent facade that has been carefully shaped within its zoning envelope. The building's volume is "pinched and pulled," creating dramatic recesses at both ground and roof levels. The ground-level setback creates a natural funneling passage that draws pedestrians into the Oku-Harajuku district, while the upper recess allows daylight to penetrate deep into the urban block.
On the opposite side facing Harajuku, the building takes on a completely different character with stepped terraces that fan outward into the neighborhood. These open-air platforms are designed to allow the building's programs and activities to spill outdoors, creating dynamic spaces where commerce and community life can intersect. This terraced design provides multiple levels of engagement with the street and offers visitors various vantage points to experience the bustling energy of Harajuku.
The project is led by Shohei Shigematsu and his team at OMA, who approached the redevelopment as an opportunity to reinterpret Harajuku's rich cultural legacy for the modern era. Since the original Harajuku Quest opened in 1988, it has been closely intertwined with the area's evolution, adapting alongside the shifting currents of fashion, youth culture, and urban development. The new design proposes a hybrid architectural form that successfully mediates between globalized retail architecture and the human-scaled fabric of the backstreets that have made Harajuku famous for independent shops and creative subcultures.
A central feature of the new complex is its second-level public plaza, which serves as both the heart of the design and a new civic gathering space within the district. This elevated area is conceived as more than just a shopping destination – it functions as a stage for cultural programs, community gatherings, and social interaction. By expanding the conventional retail experience into a platform for cultural exchange, the design successfully weaves local life into the commercial space and blurs the traditional boundaries between commerce and community.
The Harajuku Quest project builds upon and extends NTT's previous urban development initiative, With Harajuku, which was completed in 2020. Together, these projects create an expanded pedestrian network that includes alleys, squares, and casual meeting spots throughout the district. This comprehensive approach to urban planning reinforces Harajuku's established identity as a crucial meeting point and cultural exchange hub within Tokyo's urban fabric, ensuring that the area's unique character and creative spirit will continue to thrive in the years ahead.
