"Old Banghwa Garage Site Transformed into Residential Complex with Youth Housing and 생활SOC... Construction Starts Next Year"

Seoul City and SH Corporation Announce Winning Design Competition Entry for Former Banghwa Garage Site in Gangseo-gu
112 Youth and Newlywed Housing Units on 2,864㎡ Site with Library, Childcare Center, and Sports Facilities
Open Community Amenities Arranged Around Nearby Park and Central Plaza to Revitalize Local Community

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The former Banghwa Garage site (2,864㎡) in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, will be transformed in 2023 into a "neighborhood-friendly residential complex" that combines housing for young people and newlyweds with living SOC. The Banghwa Garage site had been used as a garage for over 30 years before being left as a vacant lot for a long time.

Seoul City and Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) unveiled the winning design proposal (Geumseong Comprehensive Architects Office) for the complex development of the former Banghwa Garage site in Banghwa-dong 168-50, Gangseo-gu, on the 28th.

The housing for young people and newlyweds will consist of a total of 112 units in a building ranging from two basement floors to 11 floors above ground. The lower floors of the building will house lifestyle convenience facilities such as an open library, Our Neighborhood Care Center, a senior citizens' center, and a community exercise facility, which can be used by both residents and nearby local residents.

This project is included in Seoul City's plan announced at the end of 2018 to supply an additional 80,000 housing units and the five major innovation measures for housing supply. It is a public housing innovation model that develops underutilized public land into a complex facility combining residential and leisure functions.

The former Banghwa Garage site had been used since 1977 as a parking lot for private airport buses and a garage for tourist buses but has been left unused since 2012. The site is located between an apartment complex and low-rise residential areas, with Doremi Children's Park right next door. Two subway stations are within a 10 to 20-minute walk, and Seoul Botanical Garden is 30 minutes away.

The winning design proposed a "medium-scale residential complex" that maximizes the site's conditions, surrounded by low-rise residential areas, high-rise residential areas, and a park. A central courtyard directly connected to the adjacent park was created, with community facilities for local residents arranged on the lower floors around it to serve as a space for communication. The building height was planned to decrease toward the park side to minimize landscape disruption. The buildings are arranged in three blocks embracing the central courtyard, creating an open skyline and securing wind paths. Shared spaces such as communal terraces and rooftop gardens were created intermittently in the residential buildings to activate the resident community.

Seoul City and SH Corporation plan to reflect additional facilities needed by residents through consultations with Gangseo District Office and local residents. A detailed design plan will be prepared, with construction starting by the end of next year and completion targeted for the end of 2023.

Kim Seyong, President of SH Corporation, said, "We will do our best to ensure that this project breathes new life into the area, improves the quality of life for local residents, and establishes itself as a residential welfare model that strengthens the local community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.