JR East Station Retailing will open the "mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi" shopping complex on the Manseibashi Viaduct in Kanda-Sudacho, Chiyoda Ward, on September 14th. Ahead of the grand opening, the site was unveiled to the press on July 19th. This facility marks the company's first commercial facility located within the city (town) and outside the station (external to the station). It was designed by Mikangumi, a company known for its extensive experience in public and commercial facilities. The two-level structure, consisting of a space under the viaduct (first floor) that makes use of arches and century-old bricks, and an observation/café deck (second floor) designed like a glass box, will span approximately 2,000 square meters. The upper and lower floors will be connected by two steps, the 1912 Stairs and the 1935 Stairs, named after the years when they were built. This will be the first time these steps have been open to the public since Manseibashi Station closed in 1943. The second-floor deck, which utilizes the former Manseibashi Station platform, allows visitors to watch Chuo Line trains pass by up close. This is said to be the first such location in Japan for a commercial facility.
A total of 11 shops are planned, selling food and drink, as well as miscellaneous goods and fashion items. The first-year sales target is 1.1 billion yen. The first floor will house the first wine goods shop of VINOSITY, a popular wine shop in Kanda Kajicho, and the second-floor cafe space is set to open with an art-infused cafe run by Command N, the non-profit arts organization that planned 3331 Arts Chiyoda. Due to the location, which includes Akihabara Electric Town, the area has an image of being dominated by male customers, but the mall will offer a selection of casual food, drink, and fashion items to appeal to female customers. "There are people who are eager to buy at ecute malls outside the station, but one big difference from inside the station is that we have to think about attracting customers. That's why we plan to organize events linked to the local community from time to time. We are currently holding events linked to the local community at existing ecute malls, and we would like March ecute to play a part in revitalizing the area as well," said Mitsui Tsuyoshi, President and CEO of JR East Station Retailing. "As a pre-event, the Kanda Manseibashi Beer Arch, part of the Kanda Beer Festival, will be held from the 22nd to August 14th. It will be linked to the Kanda Awajicho Beer Terrace, a beer garden at the WATERRAS shopping complex in Ochanomizu that opens on the 23rd.
