Construction of a Complex Cultural Facility with a 937-Seat Performance Hall in Noryangjin, Dongjak-gu

[Seoul District News] Construction of Complex Cultural Facility on Public Contribution Site in Noryangjin District 6 Aiming for Completion in June 2026 with 2 Basement to 5 Above-Ground Floors ▲ Performance Hall ▲ Exhibition Room ▲ Practice Room to Provide High-Quality Musical, Theater, and Concert Experiences for Residents... Gangnam-gu Launches ‘All the Benches in the World’ Contest Created by Citizens

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) announced on the 14th that the ‘Complex Cultural Facility Construction’ project in Noryangjin District 6, aimed at expanding cultural and artistic infrastructure, has passed the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The district is promoting the construction of a complex cultural facility equipped with a performance hall and exhibition rooms, utilizing the public contribution site in the Noryangjin 6 Redevelopment Promotion Zone (Jangseungbaegi-ro 13-gil 36 area), targeting completion by June 2026. The plan includes ▲an architectural design competition this year ▲detailed design by next year, and construction starting in 2024.

The facility will have a total floor area of 13,939㎡, with 2 basement levels and 5 above-ground floors, comprising ▲a performance hall (735 seats in the main hall, 202 seats in the small hall) ▲exhibition rooms ▲performance practice rooms ▲lecture rooms, and more.

Once opened, the facility is expected to host a variety of high-quality performances such as ▲musicals ▲plays ▲concerts, providing residents with opportunities to enjoy culture and arts, thereby alleviating cultural thirst.

In the future, cultural and artistic activities will be revitalized through connections with ▲cultural and artistic groups and clubs ▲the district choir, among other local cultural resources.

Changwoo Lee, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “We will do our best to ensure the smooth progress of the facility’s construction,” adding, “The complex cultural facility will be the only public performance hall in Dongjak-gu and will lead regional development alongside the Noryangjin redevelopment project.”

Noryangjin, an area densely populated with goshiwon (small lodging houses) and old houses, is undergoing redevelopment across eight districts, transforming into apartment complexes with an expected influx of population, making infrastructure expansion necessary.

Accordingly, the district is striving to expand living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) so that residents can easily enjoy cultural benefits, including ▲completion of the Noryangjin modern sewage box in April ▲creation of a youth complex space utilizing city-owned land, targeted for completion by the end of this year.

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Soongyun Jung) is recruiting citizens, companies, and organizations to participate in the design contest for ‘All the Benches of the World in Gangnam’ from April 2 to May 31.

Last year, Gangnam-gu installed 15 art benches selected through a contest along Teheran-ro, and this year plans to expand the scope by adding 30 benches along major roads in the area and the Yangjaecheon walking trail.

Applications can be submitted by downloading the application form from the district office website and sending it via email. There are no size restrictions, but designs should harmonize with the urban landscape and consider user convenience. Entrants produce the benches, and the district installs them. Gangnam-gu will attach nameplates with the entrant’s name and QR code to provide promotional opportunities.

Hyunjun Yoo, professor of architecture at Hongik University, said, “Benches are spaces for rest and communication,” adding, “I hope to see benches made with unique citizen ideas nationwide, starting from Gangnam-gu.”

Soongyun Jung, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “‘All the Benches of the World’ is a Creating Shared Value (CSV) project where social value and corporate profit coexist,” adding, “We will continue to create a ‘Dignified Gangnam’ that is caring and respectful through differentiated policies that establish not only the city’s appearance but also the identity and values of the community.”

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