Apartments in Seoul’s Apgujeong area may go up to 70 floors under conditions

Apartments in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul [Photo by Park Hyung-ki]

Apartments in Apgujeong-dong, a major reconstruction area in Gangnam District in southern Seoul, will be allowed to be rebuilt into 70-story-high residential buildings if they “adopt a creative design,” the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday.

“We will allow the construction of super-high buildings if they introduce creative and innovative design,” said an unnamed official from the Seoul city government. “The previous simulation was done with 50 floors but the height can be more flexibly adjusted if an innovative design is presented.”

The remarks were made as it presented a blueprint to the residents of apartments in Apgujeong-dong in the special zones 2 and 3.

Apgujeong-dong was one of the first-generation development regions in Gangnam District but reconstruction has been slow compared with other regions such as Dogok-dong and Cheongdam-dong.

Seoul and zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been discussing reconstruction through rapid integrated planning, a fast-track method where the city government proposes a guideline that balances public interest and business feasibility in the planning stage and promotes fast project implementation. The plan that had been discussed among residents thus far was to increase the height to 49 floors from 35.

Seoul, however, launched efforts for skyline diversification this year, including scrapping of the 35- story limit, leading to a higher possibility of building apartments with 49 floors or higher.

“If we apply a special design, a few buildings within the complex may go as high as 70 floors,” said an unnamed official from the reconstruction association of Apgujeong District 3.

Apgujeong District 3, generally known as “Old Hyundai,” has the largest number of households among the special planning zones in Apgujeong-dong at 3,946. The number will increase by 1,864 to 5,810 after reconstruction, sources said.

“Floor layout and design are up to the residents as long as the skyline rules are adhered to within the boundary of the city’s proposal,” said an unnamed official from the Seoul government. The area is expected to be upgraded to a quasi-residential zone from class 3 regular residential zone as the city has recently been positive about raising the class of areas adjacent to a subway station.