The Largest Convention Facility in Gangbuk Area to Open at Seoul Station... Completion Scheduled for 2029

An international cultural complex with a convention center capable of accommodating over 2,000 people, the first of its kind in Gangbuk, will be established in the northern station area of Seoul Station, which has remained vacant land for a long time. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to develop the area around Seoul Station into a 'global future platform' by creating an underground complex transfer center through the Gyeongbu Line railway underground project and establishing a linear park along the existing railway section.

On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the 'Seoul Station Northern Station Area Development Project Groundbreaking Ceremony' and announced the future vision for the Seoul Station area. The ceremony was attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Kim Seung-mo, CEO of Hanwha Construction Division, among others. Mayor Oh said, "The northern station area will be reborn as an international landmark equipped with world-class international business support facilities, worthy of the nickname 'Gangbuk's COEX.' Starting with the development of the northern station area, Seoul Station will be reborn as a new symbol connecting Seoul's past and future, and the world and Seoul."

Perspective view of the Seoul Station North District Complex Development Project. Provided by Seoul City.

원본보기 아이콘

The Seoul Station Northern Station Area Development Project involves constructing five buildings ranging from six basement floors to 39 above-ground floors, including convention facilities, offices, hotels, and officetels. Among the five buildings, three will be offices, one will be an officetel, and one will be a hotel, with retail facilities located on the lower floors up to the third floor. The convention facilities will include an international conference hall and exhibition hall capable of accommodating over 2,000 people. The project budget is approximately 2.5 trillion KRW, with completion targeted for the first half of 2029. Hanwha plans to own and operate the hotel and retail facilities.

The groundbreaking comes 16 years after the development plan was first announced during Mayor Oh's first term in 2008. Hanwha was selected as the preferred negotiator in 2019 and reestablished the development plan through a preliminary negotiation system in 2021. The public contribution amount totals 338.4 billion KRW, which will be used to build public office facilities and pedestrian bridges, with 269.5 billion KRW paid in cash allocated for the renovation of underprivileged and neglected areas. Pedestrian paths connecting Seoul-ro 7017, Cheongpa-dong, and Seoul Station Plaza will also be constructed.

An example of a transfer system reorganization created in the underground space secured by railroad underground construction. Provided by Seoul City

원본보기 아이콘

On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government presented plans to transform the area into a 'global future platform' by creating a complex transfer center and a linear park through the undergrounding of the railway at Seoul Station. A large underground space secured by the railway underground project will house the complex transfer center, reducing transfer distances and times between all transportation modes including KTX, conventional rail, airport rail, subway, buses, and taxis, in coordination with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Additionally, a linear park connecting the city center and the Han River will be established along the existing railway section, linked to business spaces, convention facilities, and the underground transfer center. A pedestrian and green network will also be developed to preserve the history and symbolism of the national heritage site 'Culture Station 284 (former Seoul Station).' The plaza in front of Seoul Station will be transformed into a public square and park for citizens.

The city will begin by creating the Seoul Station plaza as a citizen space and proceed step-by-step. After the railway undergrounding is completed in 2033, development above Seoul Station will also be pursued. The city plans to formulate detailed spatial reorganization plans through discussions with related ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), and the National Railroad Corporation during the project implementation process.

Mayor Oh said, "The development of the Seoul Station Northern Station Area is significant as it marks the beginning of a major urban transformation that enhances the status of Seoul Station as the national central station and international gateway, and reorganizes the space. I hope you look forward to the day when the heart of the Republic of Korea's capital, the 'Seoul Station area,' which connects Seoul's past and future and the world and Seoul, will beat strongly once again as a new symbol."

Example of Seoul Station Plaza. Provided by Seoul City

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.