Shaping a new experience in a historic district

MixC Nanjing is a retail-led, mixed-use development located in the city’s central 700-year-old district known as Sanshan Street. Situated within the historical urban texture of the ancient city, at the heart of the site sits an original ‘Yunzhang Gongsuo’ building.

The design concept respects the centuries-old context of the location while at the same time imagines a vibrant future for the area. The careful balance between ‘traditional’ and ‘new era’ underpins the approach. The design philosophy has re-imagined the long-term sustainable protection and continuation of the traditional street texture and urban grain.

The overall planning has transformed the closed box into an open format, supporting connectivity and visibility to the centerpiece, the traditional cultural building. Internal pedestrian streets have been carved into the site to echo the urban fabric and surround the historic building and its open events courtyard. 

Capturing the identity of Nanjing with colour, materials, style and scale, the design of MixC Nanjing has been informed by the study of the city’s building typologies. The triangular site features three distinct façade strategies as a result.

Facing the main commercial boulevard, the multi-storey façades show an interpretation of traditional Nanjing architecture. The inner streets with layered setbacks are an adaptation of old village streets. Facing the redeveloped Chengnan Residential area is a ‘Yanliaofang’ inspired design.

Well-connected, MixC Nanjing is strategically located near multiple train stations in the city. The open format has enhanced the street mobility and network accessibility to benefit visitors arriving from different access points. The fourth-floor rooftop serves as a retreat from the bustling streets, offering green outdoor spaces and places for quiet recreation for the general public.

With its unique positioning, location and concept, MixC Nanjing offers a new destination for the city that balances modern commercial life with local history.