Practice of Regeneration in Core Urban Business District

In the course of urban renewal, the revitalization of stock‑use commercial properties is more than mere facelift. It represents a systematic reshaping of urban interfaces, public scenarios and site‑specific emotional identity. Jiafa Tiandi (former Shanghai City Mall) in Chongqing, a commercial landmark carrying over two decades of urban memory, is undergoing systematic transformation.

PHA is commissioned for its facade renovation design. Rooted in the established strengths of Nan’an Business District, the design integrates urban cultural context with new‑generation consumer experiences, empowering this mixed‑use cultural‑tourism‑commercial complex of over 550,000 sqm to evolve from a regional shopping hub into a city‑scale lifestyle destination.

Situated in the core business district of Nan’an, central Chongqing, the site enjoys direct rail transit access and draws diverse visitor groups including local residents, business‑event attendees and cultural‑tourism visitors, boasting superior location and passenger‑flow fundamentals. As the existing building facade could hardly meet contemporary commercial requirements for urban visibility and continuous street‑front interface, the design frames facade reconfiguration within the broader context of district‑wide renewal. Through iteration of the building’s urban interface, the project advances the overall commercial value.

“Blossom‑infused Dream” serves as the core facade concept: blossoms act as the tangible visual motif, while “dream” alludes to immersive experience. Drawing on this inspiration, the design weaves the romantic spirit of Shanghai‑style aesthetics together with the sparkling character of mountain‑city Chongqing, fostering emotional connections between architecture, people and the urban environment.

Thorough analysis of on‑site sightlines informs the optimization of building presentation, balancing daytime material expression and night‑time lighting performance. Closely aligned with the project’s cultural‑tourism‑commercial positioning, the design targets urban families, young adults and tourists to build an all‑day immersive lifestyle precinct.

Commercial architecture is far more than a vessel for consumption. It is a venue that preserves urban memory and nurtures public vitality. Using the building facade as a medium, PHA re‑establishes dialogue between architecture and the city, delivering a practical, timely solution for the stock‑space regeneration of Nanping Business District.