The municipal government passed a plan on November 27 to select the best design for the underground site at the Ben Thanh station for the city’s new metro line No. 1 project, which is under construction.
The public square, located on the former Quang Thi Trang Roundabout, is expected to be the highlight of the area, and also link Pham Hong Thai with Ham Nghi Street.
Earlier, the city’s government launched a competition to choose the best design for the public square, the Ben Thanh underground commercial center underneath the square, as well as along Le Loi Street from the Ben Thanh Market to the Opera House.
Of note, consulting firms submitting designs for the square were advised to follow the earlier work performed by Spanish consulting firm Idom Ingeniería Consultoria S.A, which had thoroughly studied and presented a proper design for the pedestrian space in downtown HCMC.
The Ben Thanh underground commercial center will include four below-ground areas. The first, which will link to the underground space along Le Loi Street, will house the station’s square and a shopping center. The three others will be used as the metro line’s platform and technical room.
Additionally, the underground project along Le Loi Street from the Ben Thanh station to the Opera House will function as a shopping center.
