SKP Wuhan
Evolving the department store into an integrated retail, lifestyle and cultural destination.
SKP Wuhan marks the fourth chapter in Sybarite’s long-standing partnership with SKP. The project reimagines the traditional department store as an integrated luxury lifestyle destination. Located within Wuhan’s Central Cultural Zone, the 130,000m² development brings together architecture, landscape and customer experience to create a destination rooted in discovery, connectivity and a strong sense of place.
- Key Info
-
- Location
- Wuhan, China
- Client
- SKP
- Services
- Architecture, Interior Design, Retail Design, Retrofit Strategy, Landscape Integration, Customer Experience Design
- Year
- 2021 - 2024
- Area
- 200,000 m2
- Project Team
- Aldo Sanzo, Iain Mackay, Enrico Falchetti, Vicky Chen, Darren Snow, Andrea Facchinato, Carlo Favuzza, Sai Lertluechachai, Gonzalo Romero Salamanca, Ilaria Bernardi
- Photography
- Nick Kuratnik, Wan She Tang (Courtesy of JIN ARTS)
- Collaborators
-
- Local Architect
- CC8
- Lighting Design
- Speirs Major Lighting Architecture
- Fire Protection Engineering
- ARUP, CC8
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- AECOM
- Structure Consultant
- CABR
- Advanced Engineering
- Eckersley O'Callaghan
- Robotic Installations
- JIN ARTS
- Awards
-
2025 – Rethinking The Future – Third Award Winner in Interiors Retail (Built)
2025 – CRED Award – Shortlisted in Commercial
2025 – FRAME – Silver of July in Multi-brands Store
2025 – PropertyGuru – Winner in The Best Completed Retail Architectural Design (Mainland China)
2025 – GBE 2025 – Winner in Best Renovation and Redevelopment in Commercial Architecture - Press
-
- Location
- Wuhan, China
- Client
- SKP
- Services
- Architecture, Interior Design, Retail Design, Retrofit Strategy, Landscape Integration, Customer Experience Design
- Year
- 2021 - 2024
- Area
- 200,000 m2
- Project Team
- Aldo Sanzo, Iain Mackay, Enrico Falchetti, Vicky Chen, Darren Snow, Andrea Facchinato, Carlo Favuzza, Sai Lertluechachai, Gonzalo Romero Salamanca, Ilaria Bernardi
- Photography
- Nick Kuratnik, Wan She Tang (Courtesy of JIN ARTS)
- Local Architect
- CC8
- Lighting Design
- Speirs Major Lighting Architecture
- Fire Protection Engineering
- ARUP, CC8
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- AECOM
- Structure Consultant
- CABR
- Advanced Engineering
- Eckersley O'Callaghan
- Robotic Installations
- JIN ARTS
2025 – Rethinking The Future – Third Award Winner in Interiors Retail (Built)
2025 – CRED Award – Shortlisted in Commercial
2025 – FRAME – Silver of July in Multi-brands Store
2025 – PropertyGuru – Winner in The Best Completed Retail Architectural Design (Mainland China)
2025 – GBE 2025 – Winner in Best Renovation and Redevelopment in Commercial Architecture
- 0
- retained structure
- 0
- flagship brands
- 0
- daily footfall
A Curated Destination
Known as the ‘Gateway to Nine Provinces’, Wuhan sits at the intersection of commerce, culture and transportation. SKP Wuhan introduces more than 1,000 international brands to Central China, creating a destination for both residents and visitors.
Every SKP project responds to its local context. In Wuhan, Sybarite developed a luxury retail destination that reflects the city’s identity while continuing SKP’s commitment to curated experiences. Architecture, landscape and interior design work together to create a seamless customer journey that reflects the character of the city.
Retrofit & Urban Regeneration
SKP Wuhan demonstrates how commercial retrofit can unlock long-term value from existing buildings. Rather than demolishing the former Wanda Plaza, Sybarite transformed it into a next-generation luxury department store, retaining around 60% of the existing structure. This approach reduced material waste, lowered embodied carbon and accelerated regeneration.
The team developed a new fire strategy that enabled the removal of the internal ring road that had previously defined the shopping mall. This pivotal intervention created a more intuitive retail environment, improved circulation and strengthened connections with the surrounding city.
A Journey Through Place
The softly illuminated façade establishes SKP Wuhan as a landmark along the waterfront. A double-layered moiré façade and flowing architectural geometry – exemplified by the SKP Curve – creates a building that transforms throughout the day while reinforcing its civic presence.
Inside, visitors move through a sequence of light-filled spaces anchored by two dramatic half-moon atriums framed with towering walls of book-matched marble. Subtle shifts in materiality, geometry and light guide visitors naturally through the building. At roof level, a botanical garden extends the retail experience into landscape and public realm, creating a moment of calm above the city.
K Avenue & The Promenade
The wider masterplan extends the experience beyond the building. Running alongside the Chu River, K Avenue establishes a pedestrian luxury promenade where flagship retail, hospitality and lifestyle destinations connect indoor and outdoor experiences.
At its centre sits SKP-S Wuhan, the latest evolution of SKP’s experiential retail concept. Under the theme Paradox Planet, it continues the brand’s ambition to maximise “experience per square metre” through immersive storytelling and discovery. Together, K Avenue and SKP-S establish SKP Wuhan as a destination where retail, culture and entertainment come together.
Conclusion
SKP Wuhan represents the most complete expression of the SKP vision to date. More than a department store, it demonstrates how architecture, landscape and experience can transform retail into a catalyst for cultural and urban life.
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