Seongdong-gu Expands ‘Red Brick Building’ Support Project to All of Seongsu-dong

Preserving Urban Identity and Revitalizing Local Commerce as a City Brand
Up to 20 Million Won in Support, Covering Half of Construction Costs

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Won-oh), will expand the scope of its ‘Red Brick Building Support Project’ to cover the entire Seongsu-dong area starting August 28. This measure aims to preserve the red brick buildings that embody Seongsu-dong’s unique history and atmosphere, and to strengthen the local identity.

Red brick building in Seongsu-dong. Provided by Seongdong-gu.

Since 2018, Seongdong-gu has been working to preserve red brick buildings remaining in the factory and warehouse areas (from the 1970s to 1980s) and residential buildings (from the 1980s to 1990s) in Seongsu-dong. Initially, support was focused on areas such as Atelier-gil north of Seoul Forest, the area south of Ttukseom Station, the area north of Seoul Forest Station, the vicinity of the Korea National Open University, and the Seongsu Station cafe street.

Recently, as ‘Dongyeonmujeong-gil’ and the so-called ‘North Seongsu’ area, located in the opposite direction of Seoul Forest and Ttukseom from Seongsu Station, have gained popularity, the startup and cultural ecosystem has spread throughout Seongsu-dong. In response, the district has newly designated the entire Seongsu-dong area as eligible for support to address blind spots in the program. However, Seoul Forest and the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District are excluded.

Eligible applicants include Seongsu-dong residents and building owners, who can receive up to 20 million won, covering up to half of the construction costs when building or renovating red brick structures. Eligibility is determined through a review by the ‘Red Brick Review Committee.’

From 2018 to 2021, Seongdong-gu supported about 30 buildings as a pilot project, and since 2023, has expanded the coverage to areas such as the cafe street and the area south of Ttukseom Station. Through this process, Seongsu-dong’s unique urban cultural landscape has also received external recognition.

In September last year, the district received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award at the Korea High-Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Housing and Building Materials Awards, and the British magazine Time Out selected Seongsu-dong as the fourth ‘coolest neighborhood in the world.’

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “Red brick buildings are an urban brand that preserves Seongsu-dong’s unique character, where the past and present coexist harmoniously, while also revitalizing the local economy and commercial districts.” He emphasized, “We will continue to provide active support so that red brick buildings can serve as a catalyst for creative architectural culture and the local economy.”

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