CAN Completes Nanjing’s Next-Generation Social Hub
7 July 2025

Nestled in the heart of Nanjing’s bustling Xinjiekou district, widely recognized as the “No. 1 Commercial Avenue of China’, JLC emerges as a striking new landmark that redefines the urban experience through a seamless blend of retail, culture, and social vibrancy.

In collaboration with Hongkong Land, CAN Design brings a fresh and youthful energy into Nanjing’s cityscape, setting a new benchmark in contemporary urban development. More than just a commercial destination, JLC enriches the city’s cultural identity and elevates the everyday experience in one of China’s most dynamic districts.

Reshaping the Retail Landscape of Xinjiekou

CAN Design has delivered a holistic design solution for JLC, including Retail Planning Enhancement, Façade Design, Interior Design, and Wayfinding & Signage Design, ensuring a seamless and cohesive experience across all touchpoints. In response to the dense and diverse urban fabric of Xinjiekou, CAN crafted a distinctive and refined aesthetic identity that enhances both visibility and cultural resonance. The project unlocks new possibilities and positions itself as a transformative force across the region.

Spanning approximately 92,000 square meters across eight above-ground floors and four underground levels, JLC is seamlessly connected to Xinjiekou Station on Metro Lines 1 and 2. The design draws inspiration from the traditional ‘Eight Scenic Views of Jinling’, reinterpreting Nanjing’s cultural heritage through spatial storytelling that evokes a contemporary atmosphere infused with local character.

Comprising East and West zones, the design team has thoughtfully infused immersive scenes throughout every corner, crafting a seamless urban journey where visitors can experience the fusion of culture and contemporary design at every step.

Previous
Next
From Cultural Narrative to Contemporary Expression

The architectural façade of JLC takes cues from Nanjing’s historic city walls, reinterpreted through a refined material palette. Bronze-toned metal panels, glass, multimedia elements, and integrated lighting create a layered, visually dynamic exterior. Stone textures and sculptural forms add depth and sophistication, resulting in a bold, contemporary expression. By night, a large naked-eye 3D screen transforms into a luminous urban landmark, establishing a striking new visual focal point in the cityscape.

Throughout the interior spaces, the design language is extended through a cohesive palette of bronze tones, natural stone, and wood, creating warm and refined interiors. Inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics, such as Yunjin brocade and Huayun boudoirs, the space offers a rich sensory experience through intricate textures and carefully layered materials. Sculptural accents and curated art installations act as visual anchors, inviting moments of pause and reflection throughout the journey.

From gently curved ceilings to meticulous spatial detailing, CAN Design evokes a sense of tranquillity and order within the urban bustle, awakening a shared desire for immersive, quality-driven urban living.

The wayfinding system at JLC has been tailored by CAN Design to ensure clarity and intuitive navigation. From metro-connected zones to major entrances and interiors, signage is thoughtfully positioned and visually integrated, enhancing spatial coherence while reinforcing the project’s cultural narrative.

Previous
Next
A Spatial Journey of Three Courtyards

JLC reinterprets the traditional Chinese concept of the three-courtyard spatial progression, offering an experiential sequence imbued with ritual and artistic nuance. A 30-meter-high atrium, adorned with heritage-inspired patterns, exemplifies Hongkong Land’s signature understated luxury and curates an immersive spatial experience.

A key highlight is the ‘Art Scroll’ at the Metro exit, a bold initiative by CAN to transform public space into a cultural experience. In collaboration with international digital art Digiway, the installation features a 48-meter LED screen showcasing Echoes of the Red Chamber, a digital artwork inspired by the literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber. The piece reimagines traditional motifs through a dynamic, immersive lens.

Extending this curatorial narrative, the underground passage connecting the East and West zones is designed as a ‘City Art Corridor’. This space blends interactivity with storytelling, transforming everyday pedestrian transit into an engaging journey of discovery and cultural resonance.

JLC is more than a retail destination. It is a vibrant social hub designed for interaction and discovery. Atop the podium, a rooftop garden inspired by the Qinhuai River reinterprets the riverside aesthetic into spatial form, seamlessly integrating nature with urban life. Blending cafés, dining, and bars, this open-air venue creates a rare social setting in the city’s dense commercial core.

On the B1 level of the West zone, the signature sunken plaza presents a terraced landscape filled with natural light, greenery, and relaxed seating. With pet-friendly zones thoughtfully integrated, the space adds warmth, informality, and playfulness to everyday city life.

Redefining Urban Sophistication

JLC embodies a unique fusion of local cultural insight and global lifestyle sensibilities. Under the theme ‘Cheerfully Nanjing’, JLC curates an urban living room at the intersection of luxury, fashion, lifestyle, art, and community.

Through holistic, human-centered design, CAN Design has infused the project with a consistent design language from concept to execution. Every detail expresses the refined lifestyle of Nanjing, resonating with the city’s historical legacy and dynamic commercial pulse.

Project Detail

Location | Nanjing
Client | Hongkong Land

Sectors | Retail, Towers

Scope | Retail Planning Improvement, Retail Facade Design, Interior Design, Wayfinding & Signage Design

Hong Kong
3805 – 3808, 38/F AIA Tower,
183 Electric Road, Fortress Hill
CAN Design Limited. All right reserved.