On February 28th, the 33-year-old Landao Building officially commenced its closure for comprehensive renovation. This iconic mall, which holds memories for generations of Beijing residents, is poised for a significant transformation into the "UIC Urban Vitality Innovation Center." The new center will integrate trendsetting IP product launches, cultural experiences, and innovative consumption.
This renovation is a core component of the second phase of the Chaowai Street urban renewal project and represents a broader trend of upgrading traditional Beijing department stores.
**Final Days Before Closure** On the afternoon of February 26th, amidst heavy traffic on Chaoyangmenwai Street, prominent posters announcing the "33rd Anniversary, Clearance Before Closure" were visible outside the Landao Building. Inside the first floor, cosmetics counters were adjacent to clothing discount sections, while gold jewelry counters were relatively quiet. Some shoppers headed directly to discount areas across different floors, where cashmere sweaters were tagged as low as 99 or 199 yuan. Others gently touched the escalator handrails, seemingly bidding farewell to a shared era.
"I remember my mother buying me a schoolbag here when I was in primary school; now my own child is in middle school. Landao has been a constant in our family's life," a middle-aged woman remarked.
In the main hall, golden characters on the wall read, "Grateful for Your Company, We Look Forward to Meeting Again," accompanied by historical photos tracing the mall's past. The interior décor showed signs of age. Furthermore, the fashion brands present, such as Pierre Cardin, Goldlion, Snow Lotus Cashmere, and Hongdu, were predominantly older labels rarely seen in other Beijing malls today.
The once-bustling shopping atmosphere had faded, replaced by a palpable sense of nostalgia. Shoppers were primarily middle-aged and elderly, navigating the floors for 50% off clothing and household items. Many came specifically to take photos for remembrance.
"I've been shopping at Landao since I was young. It's a bit sad to see it close for renovation," one long-time customer expressed.
"Sales have been decent these past few days, given the imminent closure. Some items are discounted more heavily than before," revealed a salesperson at a down jacket store on the fifth floor.
On the third floor of the east wing, the formerly vibrant home appliance section was now occupied by clothing brands. "I've heard from senior staff that Landao's appliance sales were once legendary in Beijing's retail history," a salesperson recalled. "Even with the closure for renovation, we are optimistic about the future."
**Renovation Highlights: From Traditional Department Store to Trendsetting IP Hub** The predecessor of Landao Building was the Dongdaqiao Department Store, which opened in 1978. It was renamed "Lando Building" on January 18, 1993, becoming a large retail complex integrating shopping, dining, culture, and entertainment. It long served as a landmark in the Dongdaqiao commercial area, witnessing Beijing's retail evolution and once achieving legendary annual appliance sales of 500 million yuan.
However, faced with shifting consumer habits and competition from new commercial complexes, the traditional department store model declined. Despite partial adjustments after 2010, issues like outdated amenities and poor layout persisted.
The current closure and renovation respond to Beijing's "Action Plan for Commercial District Transformation and Upgrading," adopting tailored strategies to build a tiered system of international consumption experience zones and urban consumption centers. In 2025, the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau issued guidelines to support quality upgrades for malls and commercial streets, encouraging traditional venues to revitalize through format upgrades, scene innovation, and cultural infusion.
As a core project of the Chaoyangmenwai Street renewal, Landao Building is tasked with revitalizing the area's commercial appeal. A representative from the Chaoyang Culture and Tourism Group stated that the building's equipment, interior, and facade will undergo comprehensive upgrades, designed by a top global architecture firm.
In the future, Landao will collaborate with Maoyan Movies to create a "Super Launch Center," establishing itself as a hub for premiering trendy IP. By optimizing spatial layout and diversifying offerings, it aims to better meet consumer and cultural demands.
Critically, with Metro Lines 6, 17, 22, and 28 converging at Dongdaqiao Station, Landao will form a "15-minute cultural consumption circle" with Parkview Green, Sanlitun, and the Liangma River International waterfront, becoming a key node in Chaoyang District's new cultural economic belt.
**District Renewal: Old Malls Transform into New Landmarks** Landao's transformation is emblematic of a wider wave of commercial renewal in Beijing, which is shifting away from a historically centralized strength model.
In the latter half of last year, Beijing welcomed several new commercial projects, including Ruilai Plaza in Fangshan District, Datunli in Chaoyang District, Weigong·Fanghuali in Haidian District, and Shangde Yintai City in Daxing District. Xiaozhan Park in Changping District and Weibo IN Metaverse Gravity Field in Chaoyang District also opened.
According to the Municipal Commerce Bureau, 2025 saw the comprehensive promotion of the commercial district upgrade plan, with 28 new large commercial facilities opening, adding over 1.5 million square meters of retail space. New projects like Wanli·Wangfujing WellTown and COB Grand Junction quickly became regional hotspots.
Regarding "renewal and enhancement," several established projects successfully transformed. Super Bio-Integrated Complex Phase II strengthened the integration of culture, tourism, commerce, and sports. Zhongguancun ART PARK Grand Mall activated Haidian consumption through technology and art. Fengtai Changxindian Cultural Street delved into local culture. Both were recognized as "2025 Excellent Urban Renewal Projects."
These cases illustrate a new logic for Beijing's commercial development: moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach towards winning consumer favor through precise positioning, innovative scenarios, and cultural depth. As the Commerce Bureau emphasized, the goal is to "enhance the driving force, radiation, guidance, and innovation of Beijing's commerce," making commercial spaces incubators for urban lifestyles.
In other related news, this year, The Place and the Lufthansa Center (Yansha Friendship Mall) are also slated for upgrades. The Place, a CBD landmark completed in 2006, was famous for its massive sky screen and the slogan "All Beijing, Look Up." Recently, its offerings have lagged, leading to fewer visitors, and its once-spectacular screen technology has become outdated. Chen Feng, Director of the Chaoyang District Commerce Bureau, previously indicated that The Place would commence renovations this year. While the final plan is undecided, the iconic sky screen will be retained and upgraded for higher resolution and compatibility with modern video formats.
The Lufthansa Center, another veteran retail landmark located by the Liangma River, has been operating since 1993 as China's first Sino-foreign joint venture retail enterprise. "This year's renovation will introduce novel elements, including immersive theatrical experiences," Chen Feng explained. The property owner is currently planning meticulously, coordinating the upgrade with neighboring hotels like the Liangma River Hotel and the Great Wall Hotel for a holistic enhancement of the area.
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