Gwangcheon Terminal Kicks Off 3 Trillion Won Mixed-Use Development... Reshaping Gwangju's Urban Core

Gwangju City and Shinsegae sign investment agreement... Plan unveiled after 18 months of negotiations
Terminal, hotel, and performance hall combined into a "compact city" targeted for completion in 2033
Public contributions set at 149.7 billion won... Attention on impact to transportation and commercial districts

Rendering of the Gwangcheon Terminal mixed-use development project. It is planned to be developed into a futuristic mixed-use landmark combining a department store, terminal, hotel, residential, and office facilities. Provided by Gwangju City

The Gwangcheon Terminal area in Gwangju will be transformed into a futuristic urban space through a large-scale mixed-use development. The Gwangju Metropolitan Government signed an investment agreement worth 3 trillion won with Shinsegae and released its plans to promote the mixed-use development project.

On the 5th, the Gwangju Metropolitan Government held the "Citizen Briefing Session on the Results of the Pre-Negotiation for the Gwangcheon Terminal Mixed-Use Development Project Urban Planning Change and Investment Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony" with Shinsegae Co., Ltd. in the business room at City Hall. On this day, the city announced the development plan, the outcome of negotiations on 149.7 billion won in public contributions, transportation measures for the Gwangcheon area, and specialized design renderings.

Under the agreement, Shinsegae will develop a mixed-use landmark on the Gwangcheon Terminal site that combines a department store, bus terminal, hotel, performance hall, and office, residential, medical, and educational facilities. The Gwangju Metropolitan Government will be responsible for supporting the administrative procedures.

The two parties also agreed to cooperate in expanding the number of city users and promoting coexistence with local commercial districts through the revitalization of culture and tourism, as well as contributing to the local community.

After Shinsegae submitted its application for the negotiation target site in August 2024, the Gwangju Metropolitan Government conducted pre-negotiations and, over the course of one year and six months, finalized a project plan with a total project cost of 3 trillion won and the scale of public contributions.

Gwangju-style landmark realized through world-class design

The specialized design unveiled on this day was carried out by Arcadis of the Netherlands. It concretized Shinsegae's project concept, "The Great Gwangju," into a spatial plan.

Shinsegae plans to invest the total project cost of 3 trillion won in phases to build a terminal building with 35 floors and a height of 180 meters, as well as four mixed-use buildings with 42 to 44 floors.

Rendering of the interior space for the Gwangcheon Terminal complex redevelopment project. It is planned as an open space centered on pedestrian circulation routes, with cultural and commercial facilities connected throughout. Provided by Gwangju City.

The project period runs from this year through 2033. In Phase 1 (2026-2028), a new annex of the department store will be constructed. In Phase 2 (2028-2033), a terminal building housing the terminal, hotel, performance hall, and office facilities, along with mixed-use facilities including residential, medical, senior care, and educational facilities, will be developed.

After the announcement of the district unit plan and the completion of building permits, construction of the new department store annex is scheduled to begin within this year, with the goal of opening at the end of 2028. Including the remodeling of the existing department store, the final operating floor area will be expanded to about three times the current size.

Phase 2 design work will begin in 2027. Shinsegae has agreed to submit a performance bond for the commencement of construction.

Future-oriented transportation and cultural hub terminal centered on citizen convenience

During the construction period, the existing Gwangcheon Bus Terminal will be temporarily closed and a provisional terminal will be operated. Its location and operation plan are under review through a service study.

The new terminal will have 1.6 times the floor area of the existing one. The waiting room and convenience facilities will be enhanced. It will be built in an open structure connecting the sunken plaza on the first floor above ground with the waiting room on the first basement level. The second basement level is planned as a boarding and alighting area, the third basement level as a bus waiting area, and the fourth basement level as a parking lot.

On the afternoon of the 7th of last month, passengers are waiting for buses in the indoor waiting area of Gwangju Gwangcheon Terminal (U-Square). Photo by Song Bohyun

The number of parking spaces will increase from the current 1,144 to 6,077. On the first basement level of the terminal, a pedestrian connection space approximately 500 meters long will be created. It will connect the department store, terminal, and residential, medical, and educational facilities along a single circulation route. Shinsegae plans to develop this as a specialized space that combines food and cultural venues.

Performance hall, hotel, observatory... A new MICE hub for Gwangju

A variable-type performance hall with 650 seats will be installed on the 5th and 6th floors of the terminal building. It is planned as a facility capable of hosting classical performances, musicals, lectures, and more.

On the 23rd to 35th floors, a deluxe hotel with about 200 rooms will be built. It will be developed to a five-star level, equipped with high-end conference facilities. In conjunction with the performance hall and department store, it will serve as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hub.

An observatory at a height of 180 meters will be created on the rooftop. A large media facade will be installed on the exterior wall of the department store. The office facilities will house a "Forest Library" and a 3D multiplex cinema. Leisure facilities such as an indoor sports theme park will also be included.

Kang Kijung, Mayor of Gwangju, and Park Juhyung, CEO of Shinsegae, hold up the agreement at the Gwangcheon Terminal Complex Development Project Investment Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony held on the morning of the 5th in the Business Room of Gwangju City Hall. Photo by Song Bohyun

Shinsegae CEO Park Joohyung said, "As a company that has grown together with the citizens of Gwangju, we will create a new landmark for the city."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung said, "The Gwangcheon area will be transformed into a compact city that combines residential, commercial, educational, and medical functions," adding, "We expect an increase in the number of city users and revitalization of local commercial districts." He continued, "Deciding on 149.7 billion won in public contributions and agreeing to share transportation infrastructure costs was not easy," and pledged, "We will carry out the remaining administrative procedures swiftly and transparently."

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