Sewoon Shopping Center 'Park Transformation'... Restart after 16 Years

[Financial News] The project to transform the Sewoon Shopping Center complex into a park located in the heart of Seoul is back on track after 16 years. The 'North-South Green Axis' project, which had stopped after the demolition of the Hyundai Shopping Center in front of Jongmyo in 2009, is restarting.  
Seoul City announced on the 17th the implementation plan for the Sewoon District Urban Park (Phase 1) development project.
The Phase 1 project site is the area around Sampung Shopping Center, adjacent to the Euljiro business district. Seoul City plans to create this area as a temporary park with lawns, gardens, and benches where citizens can freely relax. This is a preliminary step to integrate it into a large-scale urban park once the park transformation of the PJ Hotel site is completed.
The Phase 2 project site, PJ Hotel, is undergoing integrated redevelopment with the nearby 6-1-3 district. Seoul City plans to create a park above ground and a musical theater with 1,500 seats underground, aiming to make it a cultural hub representing Seoul.
This implementation plan announcement is the final administrative procedure to create a park in the approximately 5,670㎡ area around the Sampung Shopping Center in the Sewoon Shopping Center complex. Seoul City plans to start construction in the first half of 2026 after the compensation process.
This project is a core part of the 'Green Ecological Urban Center Re-creation Strategy' announced by Seoul City in 2022. The goal is to gradually demolish the Sewoon Shopping Center complex and create a large-scale urban park of about 50,000㎡, completing the urban green axis connecting Bukaksan, Jongmyo, and Namsan, and providing citizens with a pleasant resting space.
Last June, a decision was made to amend the 'Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion Plan' to gradually secure about 136,000㎡ of green space within the Sewoon District, reflecting this strategy.
Seoul City sees the park transformation of the area around Sampung Shopping Center as an important opportunity to regain momentum for the North-South Green Axis development. Starting with this, the park transformation of the remaining shopping center complex will also be pursued step by step to revitalize the outdated Sewoon District into a vibrant 'Green Ecological Urban Center' that blends business, residential, culture, and green space.
Namjun Cho, head of Seoul City's Urban Space Headquarters, stated, "The park transformation of the Sewoon District is a historic project that will elevate the competitiveness of Seoul's urban center," and added, "We will do our best to create a prestigious park that citizens can feel proud of."






going@fnnews.com Choi Ga-young Reporter