Marier Toyama

Marier Toyama (マリエとやま, commonly MARIER) is a seven-story commercial complex located in Sakura-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It opened on September 12, 1987, on the site of a former Japanese National Railways staff housing complex near Dentetsu Toyama Station. At the time of its completion it was one of the largest specialty-store buildings in Toyama Prefecture. The facility is operated by Toyama Terminal Building Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of JR West Japan SC Development, which also manages Toya Marche inside Toyama Station. Its primary target demographic has historically been women in their late teens through thirties. The building was developed as part of the Toyama Station surrounding area improvement project. Construction began in 1982 with the demolition of the JNR housing, and the name "Marier Toyama" was selected in 1987 through a public naming contest; "Marier" is derived from French, suggesting harmony. The complex opened with tenants including Suzuy a, marking its first entry into the Hokuriku region, and roughly 60% of initial tenants came from outside Toyama Prefecture. Over the decades the facility has undergone multiple renovations, including a full renovation in 1999 targeting women in their twenties, a food and souvenir zone named "Omiyage Sweets Shokkan" in 2005, and a major renewal in 2015 timed with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Marier Toyama consists of the main building and a separate annex, Marier 2 (MARIER 2), located to the southwest. Marier 2 was formerly the Shirakura Dai-Roku Building and was acquired and renovated in 2007–2008; it is not directly connected to the main building, requiring visitors to exit and re-enter. The main building is connected to the adjacent Dentetsu Toyama Station Building ESTA via a walkway on the fourth floor. The complex houses a mix of retail, dining, services, and public facilities, including the Toyama Prefectural Citizens' Small Theater ORBIS on the seventh floor, a passport center, medical clinics, and a blood donation room. The building won the Toyama Prefecture Architectural Award in 1988. In recent years, Marier Toyama has faced challenges common to regional commercial facilities, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and competition from newer developments. The old main building closed temporarily on February 14, 2022, for renovation, and new tenants such as BOOK OFF, GiGO, and the food entertainment hall FOO&HOO opened later that year. Plans for a full renewal have been repeatedly postponed due to tenant uncertainty. As of the latest available information, the facility continues to operate with a mix of long-term and new tenants, and further renovations are planned.

Marier Toyama traces its origins to the Toyama Station surrounding area improvement project. On November 7, 1982, demolition began on the former Japanese National Railways staff housing on the east side of Toyama Station to clear the site. In 1985, on April 2, the founding meeting of Toyama Terminal Building Co., Ltd. was held, and on July 17 the company and Toyama Chihou Railway announced the planned outline of the "Toyama Terminal Building" and "Dentetsu Toyama Station Building." On November 28, 1985, the Toyama Station front multi-story parking garage was completed, and the crew facilities of Dentetsu Toyama Station were relocated. Construction of the Toyama Terminal Building began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 24, 1986. On May 8, 1987, the name "Marier Toyama" was officially decided for the under-construction building, along with the composition of its tenants. The nickname "Marier" was chosen through a public contest and is derived from French, meaning "harmony" and similar concepts. On August 13, 1987, details were finalized for the public facilities on the sixth floor, including the small theater "Orbis" and the Toyama Prefectural Passport Center. Marier Toyama opened on September 12, 1987, on the former JNR housing site. Initial tenants included Suzuy a, marking its first entry into the Hokuriku region, and approximately 60% of tenants came from outside Toyama Prefecture. The building won the Toyama Prefecture Architectural Award for the 1988 fiscal year. In the following decades, Marier Toyama underwent several renovations to adapt to changing consumer trends. On March 4, 1999, the entire building was renovated with a focus on women in their twenties, and mobile phone shops and an English conversation school were added. On November 18, 2005, a renovation costing 30 million yen created a section primarily selling food and local specialties named "Omiyage Sweets Shokkan." On August 2, 2007, Toyama Terminal Building announced the acquisition of the Shirakura Dai-Roku Building adjacent to Marier Toyama and plans to renovate both buildings. On September 1, 2007, in response to the relocation and opening of the Daiwa Toyama store (Sogawa Ferio), a major renovation added 11 new stores. On March 3, 2008, the former Shirakura Dai-Roku Building was renovated and opened as Marier 2 (MARIER 2), housing tenants such as AEON English conversation school and Fujiokaen tea shop. On March 8, 2014, renovation work was completed and a completion ceremony was held, with new tenants including Starbucks Coffee. On March 1, 2015, in conjunction with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the facility underwent a full renovation and reopening, with 13 new stores including Kobe-ya Kitchen, and some stores began accepting ICOCA. On March 14, 2015, free Wi-Fi service began. On February 13, 2022, it was announced that the facility would be renewed in autumn 2022 to fill gaps in store types near the station, but the plan was postponed due to reduced tenant interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. On February 14, 2022, the old Marier Toyama closed. On September 16, 2022, BOOK OFF Marier Toyama opened. On October 14, 2022, GiGO Marier Toyama opened. On December 23, 2022, the food entertainment hall FOO&HOO opened. On May 10, 2023, the e-sports facility Meiji Yakuhin ACTIVATION CENTER opened on the fourth floor. On June 16, 2023, a combined used clothing store SPINNS and Furugi Honpo by SPINNS opened on the second floor. A full renewal with large furniture and appliance tenants was planned for June–July 2024 but has not yet materialized, with further delays from the previously planned autumn 2023 due to economic pressures on prospective tenants.

• 2024

  Planned full renewal with large furniture/appliance tenants postponed.

• 2023

  E-sports facility and used clothing store open.

• 2022

  Old main building closes on February 14; BOOK OFF, GiGO, and FOO&HOO open later in the year.

• 2015

  Full renovation and reopening timed with Hokuriku Shinkansen opening; free Wi-Fi begins.

• 2014

  Renovation completed; Starbucks Coffee opens.

• 2008

  Marier 2 (MARIER 2) opens in renovated annex.

• 2007

  Acquisition of Shirakura Dai-Roku Building announced; major renovation adds 11 stores.

• 2005

  Food and souvenir zone 'Omiyage Sweets Shokkan' opens.

• 1999

  Full renovation targeting women in their twenties.

• 1988

  Building wins Toyama Prefecture Architectural Award.

• 1987

  Name 'Marier Toyama' selected; facility opens on September 12.

• 1986

  Groundbreaking ceremony for the Toyama Terminal Building.

• 1985

  Toyama Terminal Building Co., Ltd. is established; construction plans announced.

• 1982

  Demolition of JNR staff housing begins on the future site.

A regional commercial complex targeting women in their late teens to thirties, offering a mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and public services in central Toyama City.

Product categories. Fashion apparel · Dining and cafes · Books and media · Entertainment · Daily goods · Services (medical, passport, etc.)

1. 1マリエとやま - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2Marier Toyama - Wikidatawikidata.org