About 4,000 visitors Thursday got a peak at Expocity, the new 170,000-sq.-meter shopping and entertainment complex build on the site of the 1970 World Exposition in Osaka Prefecture.

Developer Mitsui Fudosan Co. hopes to see ¥60 billion in annual revenue from the complex, which stands in Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita.

At the opening ceremony, park chief Yoshikazu Omon acknowledged the many visitors who lined up early in the morning, saying “a new bustle” had been brought to the site of the expo.

The complex includes a mall, cinema complex and combined aquarium, zoo and museum.

“I have been living in the area for a long time and hope that a large number of people will visit here. Next time I want to come with my grandchild,” said Yutaka Fukao, 76.

Mitsui Fudosan expects to reel in 17 million visitors annually but declined to reveal how much it invested in the project.

In addition, Japan’s tallest Ferris wheel, standing at over 120 meters, is scheduled to begin spinning at the site next spring, and a new stadium built next to the complex is set to become the new home of J-League soccer team Gamba Osaka.

In collaboration with Gamba Osaka and Kansai Electric Power Co., Mitsui Fudosan will use renewable energy and energy conservation technologies at Expocity and the stadium.