Transformation of an Old Officetel... All Units Leased in Two Months at 'Episode Conveni Hongdae'

On the afternoon of the 13th, after walking for about 10 minutes from Sangsu Station in Seoul, a six-story pilotis-style building came into view. Although the exterior had been freshly painted, traces of age were still visible in various places. Upon entering the building, a newly renovated interior revealed a space resembling a brand-new officetel. This is the 'Episode Conveni Hongdae' branch, operated by SK D&D, a real estate development and management company, which has transformed an urban officetel into a residential rental space.

'Episode Conveni' is a rental brand by SK D&D that purchases and remodels aging buildings in urban areas for lease. 'Episode Conveni Hongdae' opened as the fourth branch on February 28, following Gasan, Sindang, and Seonjeongneung branches. It took about six months to convert the officetel into a residential space.

This branch is located a 12-minute walk from Hongik University campus on Subway Line 6, and both Sangsu and Gwangheungchang Stations on Line 6 can be reached within a six-minute walk. The property is adjacent to the Hongdae commercial district, yet offers a quiet residential environment.

The interior consists of a total of 55 units ranging from 13 to 17 square meters, spanning from the first to the sixth floor above ground. Depending on the size and layout, units are classified as either 'Basic' or 'Standard' type. Every unit is a high-ceilinged duplex, fully equipped with a built-in wardrobe, mattress, desk, closet, microwave, and washing machine, making immediate move-in possible. Although each unit is intended for single occupancy, the high ceilings and large windows provide plenty of natural light.

There are also communal spaces within the building for residents. In the basement, a small study room in the form of a study cafe is available for residents to use freely. The rooftop offers a panoramic view of the Sangsu-dong area.

Unlike other Episode branches, which emphasize co-living and shared spaces among residents, Episode Conveni specializes in providing private residential spaces. Co-living is a shared housing model where private bedrooms are guaranteed while residents share kitchens, living rooms, and lounges. Currently, there are a total of eight Episode branches operating across Seoul, including Sinchon Campus, Gangnam, and Suyu. Existing branches offer a variety of communal spaces, such as cooking rooms, gathering rooms, and coworking spaces to encourage interaction among residents.

In contrast, Episode Conveni has minimized common areas designed for resident interaction and instead focused on maximizing private space in each unit to strengthen the residential function. Unlike the Episode Sinchon Campus branch, which has shared multi-person rooms, all 55 units at Episode Conveni Hongdae are private single-person units.

Managing living expenses is also convenient. Rent varies by unit size, ranging from a minimum of 1.4 million won to a maximum of 1.65 million won. The security deposit is adjustable between 5 million and 10 million won. There are no additional payments required for maintenance or utility fees. Contracts can be made for as short as one month, making the property popular among international students looking for short-term housing at the start of the semester. Currently, 80% of tenants are international students, and all 55 units were fully leased in less than two months after opening.

An SK D&D representative stated, "While existing Episode branches focused on resident community interaction, Episode Conveni is distinguished by its focus on providing private residential spaces. The lack of communal spaces is offset by the convenience of residential amenities and easy rent payment, which has contributed to its popularity, with a contract rate exceeding 70% as early as the beginning of last month."

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