'Design Over Height'... Basic Agreement Signed for 103-Story Tower in Songdo, Incheon

Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority-Bluecore Reach Additional Agreement Without Changing Number of Floors
Key Points Include International Design Competition and Creation of Four-Season Theme Street

The landmark building in Songdo International City, Incheon, which sparked significant controversy over whether to construct the tallest building in Korea surpassing the Lotte World Tower (555m, 123 floors), will be built with 103 floors and a height of 420m. Incheon City plans to focus on 'design' rather than 'height' through an international design competition.

On the 15th, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority signed a basic agreement with Bluecore PFV Co., Ltd., the preferred negotiator for the development project in the central area of Songdo Districts 6 and 8. The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority began additional negotiations with the preferred negotiator in September of last year, following the approval of the development plan by the Incheon City Investment Attraction Planning Committee in March during the 7th local government administration, and reached an agreement after about eight months.

At that time, Bluecore's development plan included constructing a supertall building with 103 floors at the center of a 1.28 million square meter site around the artificial lake of Songdo Waterfront, along with an urban theme park, an 18-hole public golf course, residential, commercial, and exhibition facilities.

However, after the local elections and the inauguration of Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon, additional negotiations with the city were conducted. The mayor's transition committee suggested the need to build the tallest building in Korea, surpassing the Lotte World Tower, in Songdo.

During this process, some Songdo residents even staged a head-shaving protest demanding the construction of the tallest tower in Korea, but citizens and environmental groups opposed it, arguing that building a supertall tower emitting massive amounts of carbon was environmentally irresponsible, leading to conflicts between the two sides. Within Incheon City, there were also opinions that it would be difficult to demand the construction of the tallest tower in Korea from private developers due to deteriorating project feasibility.

Subsequently, through additional negotiations, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and Bluecore concluded not to change the number of floors of the 103-floor tower (Landmark I) as originally planned. Instead, they agreed to focus on a 'design' landmark and hold an international design competition. The competition scope was expanded to include not only the 103-floor tower but also Landmark II to be built by the waterfront, the street park, and theme park sculptures.

Aerial View of the Development Project at the Center of Songdo 6·8 Districts [Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

Additionally, through further negotiations, both parties supplemented the plan to develop a 1.8km street park connecting Songdo Dalbit Festival Park Station on Incheon Subway Line 1 to the coastal theme park, not as a simple open passage but as a themed street usable throughout all four seasons. This considered Korea’s environment, which experiences heavy snow and rain and distinct four seasons.

Regarding the theme park development, both parties agreed to jointly discuss various improvement plans such as musical fountains and laser shows to introduce cultural and artistic content, which is a global tourism trend. Along with this, they agreed to jointly attract international finance and international organizations so that the landmark tower could serve as a concrete example of Mayor Yoo’s campaign pledge, the 'New Hong Kong City Project.'

With the signing of the basic agreement, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to proceed with the main agreement containing detailed development plans after review by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Free Economic Zone Committee for changes to the implementation plan. Bluecore expects that considering the preparation procedures such as changes to the implementation plan, it will take about two years until groundbreaking and about 8 to 10 years to complete the entire project, estimating the total project cost at around 8 trillion won.

Kim Jin-yong, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, stated, "The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, a representative building of Singapore, has 57 floors and does not exceed 200m in height, but it is recognized as a world-class landmark," adding, "We will do our best to build a landmark tower that satisfies citizens through an international design competition."

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