Kōnandai BIRDS

Kōnandai BIRDS (港南台バーズ) is a shopping centre located directly in front of Kōnandai Station on the JR Negishi Line in Kōnan-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is managed by Sotetsu Building Management, a company of the Sotetsu Group, and its building is officially named the Sotetsu Kōnandai Building. The centre opened in 1976 as Kōnandai Center BIRDS, with its name chosen through a public competition because the surrounding housing complexes carry bird names such as Hibari and Kamome. It has served as the everyday shopping hub for the large public housing estates developed in southern Yokohama. The centre's core tenants have changed over the decades. Originally anchored by Sotetsu Store (now Sotetsu Rosen), it later hosted a Yokohama Takashimaya department store from 1983 until that store closed in 2020. Following the Takashimaya closure, BIRDS expanded into the former space and reopened in April 2021 with new and enlarged tenants including Muji, Uniqlo, Nojima, and Akachan Honpo. Today its main draws include Sotetsu Rosen, Uniqlo, Home Center Kohnan, Nojima, and Lopia. The centre also includes the adjacent Kōnandai 214 Building, connected by a walkway and treated as an annex, and shares a large car park with the neighbouring AEON Kōnandai. BIRDS is a community-oriented retail facility rather than a national chain. It hosts seasonal events, fairs, and local activities, and its website publishes shop news and event information. Its long history is closely tied to the development of the Kōnandai area along the Negishi Line, and it remains a familiar landmark for residents of the surrounding housing estates.

The area around Kōnandai was rural until the 1960s, when the Japan Housing Corporation began large-scale residential development in southern Yokohama under the Yokohama International Port City Construction Plan. The development was divided into the Yōkōdai and Hino districts, and the Japanese National Railways Negishi Line was built through the centre. The line opened between Sakuragichō and Isogo in 1964, reached Yōkōdai in 1970, and was completed to Ōfuna in April 1973 with the opening of Kōnandai and Hongōdai stations. As the housing estates grew, a shopping facility was planned for the new town. In September 1974, a temporary store called Kōnandai Mart opened near the Mejiro housing complex, anchored by Sotetsu Store and including a liquor shop, pharmacy, bookstore, restaurant, barber, cleaner, and electronics store. In 1974, a plan for the Kōnandai Center, comprising a department store, supermarket, and specialty shops, was decided. In January 1976, Yokohama Takashimaya joined as a shareholder, and on 14 April 1976, Kōnandai Center BIRDS opened at its current location in front of Kōnandai Station, with Sotetsu Store as the core. The name BIRDS was chosen by public competition, reflecting the bird-named housing complexes nearby. More than 30,000 visitors came on opening day. In October 1977, a connecting passage opened to the adjacent Daiei Kōnandai store, improving convenience. In February 1983, a multi-storey car park was completed, increasing parking from 260 to 630 spaces. On 1 October 1983, the second phase of BIRDS opened, including the Yokohama Takashimaya Kōnandai store, bringing the building to about 17,000 square metres over one basement and five upper floors. In September 1987, the Kōnandai Cine Salon opened. In 1990, a karakuri clock was installed. In October 1994, the adjacent Kōnandai 214 Building opened. In October 1995, after about two months of closure, the entire centre reopened following a full renovation. In 1999, Sotetsu Railway absorbed Nippon Shigaichi Kaihatsu. In August 2010, a major renovation removed the karakuri clock and the centre temporarily closed, reopening in November 2010. In February 2013, the Cine Salon switched from film to digital projection. On 16 August 2020, Takashimaya Kōnandai closed. On 22 April 2021, BIRDS expanded into the former Takashimaya space and reopened with new tenants including Muji, Uniqlo, Nojima, and Akachan Honpo. The centre continues to operate as a community shopping destination managed by Sotetsu Building Management.

• 2021

  BIRDS expands into former Takashimaya space and reopens.

• 2020

  Takashimaya Kōnandai store closes.

• 2013

  Cine Salon switches to digital projection.

• 2010

  Major renovation; karakuri clock removed; reopening in November.

• 1995

  Full renovation and reopening.

• 1994

  Kōnandai 214 Building opens adjacent.

• 1990

  Karakuri clock installed.

• 1987

  Kōnandai Cine Salon opens.

• 1983

  Second phase opens with Yokohama Takashimaya Kōnandai store.

• 1977

  Connecting passage to Daiei Kōnandai opens.

• 1976

  Kōnandai Center BIRDS opens in front of Kōnandai Station.

• 1974

  Kōnandai Mart, the predecessor temporary store, opens near Mejiro housing complex.

Community shopping centre serving the Kōnandai housing estates, anchored by daily-needs retailers.

Product categories. Groceries · Apparel · Home centre goods · Electronics · Dining · Services

1. 1BIRDS｜港南台バーズkonandai-birds.com
2. 2港南台バーズについて - BIRDS｜港南台バーズkonandai-birds.com
3. 3港南台バーズ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
4. 4Kōnandai BIRDS - Wikidatawikidata.org