New skyscraper to replace Seungri's disgraced Burning Sun club

Seoul approved the redevelopment of the site of the former Burning Sun Club, which was owned by Big Bang's Seungri. It will be replaced with a 31-story skyscraper including offices, residences, and commercial spaces.

A rendered image of the two triangular high-rise buildings that will be constructed on the former site of now-closed Le Meridien Hotel in Gangnam District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

A landmark skyscraper will replace the site of the former Burning Sun club, which was owned by BigBang's Seungri, in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday approved the land redevelopment necessary for the construction of a 31-story, all-glass exterior skyscraper on the site where the five-star Le Meridien Hotel, within which the club was located, previously stood.

The Burning Sun club has been mired in scandal for the past few years. It closed its doors in February 2019 after it was revealed to be a hotbed of illegal drug use, sex crimes, tax evasion and corruption.

The hotel located above the nightclub went out of business in August 2021 when the pandemic hit the hospitality industry.

The new landmark will be constructed on 120 Bongeunsa-ro in southern Seoul, over 133,165 square meters (1.4 million square feet) of land.

The rendered image shows the structure of lower stories of the new landmark. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

It will feature offices, hospitality and residential spaces and commercial facilities.

Indoor and outdoor green spaces will be set up, allowing neighbors and public to enjoy the city breeze.

There will be an observatory deck on the top floor with other recreational amenities.

The building will be 1.4 times larger than the nearby Kyobo Tower, which is next to the Sinnonhyeon Station.

Construction will begin around the end of 2024 or during the first half of 2025, according to the city government, and is expected to last around four years.

It will include two sharp, triangular buildings designed by the French architect Dominique Perrault, which represents the mountain range surrounding Seoul.

The government plans to designate the project as special construction to adjust the floor area ratio and building coverage ratio.

Green spaces will decorate new landmark. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Meritz Financial Group, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Mastern Investment Management secured 880 billion won ($679 million) through project financing last month.

The business entities will make 285.8 billion won worth of public contributions by installing public infrastructure or paying land prices in return for the city’s gesture of alleviating construction regulations.

“With the approval of the new urban development plan, Bongeunsa-ro can also become an epicenter of Gangnam’s business functions along with Teheran-ro, the current leading business street in the district,” an official from Seoul city government said.

“The high-rise towers with unique design will revitalize the area. The city hopes Seoul will have a new landmark with innovative construction designed by the globally renowned architect,” the official added.

The city government passed four additional urban redevelopment plans in Songpa District, southern Seoul; Yongsan District, central Seoul; Dongjak District, southern Seoul; and Gwanak District, southern Seoul on the same day.

BY MOON HEE-CHUL, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]