Seoul Jeongdong 'Cecil Theater Rooftop' Opens... Reborn as a Rest Area

▲Cecilmaru Exterior View (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The rooftop of Jeongdong Cecil Theater, registered as a future heritage site of Seoul, has been reborn as a resting space where visitors can overlook modern and contemporary historical sites.

Seoul City, in cooperation with the Anglican Church of Korea, created an open space on the rooftop and fully opened it to the public on the 1st. This is the second time following the opening of the rooftop of Sewoon Sangga in September 2017 as part of an urban regeneration project.

The rooftop of Cecil Theater, covering an area of 566㎡, was originally restricted for access, but as part of the Jeongdong area urban regeneration project, it has been transformed into a rest and cultural space accessible to everyone. It took three years to complete the agreement with the Anglican Church of Korea, which owns the building, design competition, cultural heritage alteration permits, and construction.

The rooftop of Cecil Theater, called 'Cecil Maru,' is equipped with shade structures, chairs, and green spaces, and also features information boards explaining the local area including the Anglican Cathedral. An elevator was installed that can be accessed directly from the road in front of the British Embassy, and a ramp was also created on the rooftop.

'Cecil Maru,' which is open to citizens from this day, operates free of charge every Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Mondays when Deoksugung Palace is closed.

Meanwhile, Cecil Theater was the center of small theater plays in the 1970s and 1980s and holds significant value in Korean theater and architectural culture. Although it once faced the risk of closure, it now serves as a hub for the Jeongdong historical regeneration project.

Ryu Hoon, Director of the Urban Regeneration Office, said, "Utilizing Cecil Theater to create a space for citizens holds a meaning beyond simply opening the rooftop," adding, "Together with Sewoon rooftop, which has become a famous spot overlooking Namsan and Jongmyo Shrine, it will become a space to enjoy the scenery in the heart of the historic city center."

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