'Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone' Construction and Design Firm Bidding Competition... "Aiming for Reputation and Profit"
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- 2025-07-25 11:10:38
- Updated
- 2025-07-25 11:10:38
Seongsu Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, Total of Over 9,400 Households
Maximum 250m Skyscraper Allowed in 'Overheated Situation'
Possibility of Bid Nullification
Maximum 250m Skyscraper Allowed in 'Overheated Situation'
Possibility of Bid Nullification
[Financial News] The construction and design industries are competing over the redevelopment of the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone, which encompasses the Seongsu-dong area in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. This area has become a strategic hub where both profitability and reputation can be achieved, as Seoul City has allowed construction up to a maximum height of 250m.
According to the maintenance industry on the 25th, the selection of construction companies for the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone will officially begin from August. It is known that District 1 will be the first to announce a bid, with Districts 2, 3, and 4 also expected to select construction companies within the year.
District 1 plans to announce a bid in August and select a construction company through a general meeting in November. Hyundai Construction, GS Construction, and HDC Hyundai Development Company, which have been in contact early on, are expected to participate in the main bid.
The participation of Samsung C&T is considered a major variable for Districts 2, 3, and 4. In District 2, Samsung C&T is weighing its participation amid competition between POSCO E&C and DL E&C. In District 3, there is a high possibility of a rematch between Daewoo Construction and Samsung C&T, who are currently competing at Gangnam-gu Gaepo Woosung 7th Complex. In District 4, Samsung C&T and Hyundai Construction are showing interest.
The design industry also considers the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone a major target. So far, Districts 1, 2, and 4 have selected design firms, and District 3 is scheduled to select a design firm on August 9.
All four districts have attracted large design firms with records in major complexes in the Gangnam area. District 1 has entrusted the design to Kunwon Architects & Engineers, who designed Helio City in Songpa-gu. District 2 is handled by Won Yang Architects & Engineers, responsible for Banpo Summit in Seocho-gu. District 4 was awarded to DA Group Engineering & Architects, who designed the Alpha Dome Tower in Pangyo, in collaboration with Korea Comprehensive Architects & Engineers and the global design firm Gensler based in the U.S.
In District 3, 'Now-Heerim Consortium' and 'Haeahn Architecture', who competed in a design competition at Apgujeong District 3 in Gangnam-gu, will face off again. The Now-Heerim Consortium proposed a landmark main building design with a 66-story tower in an H-shape. Haeahn Architecture aims for differentiation with a layout featuring two 67-story buildings and one 59-story building as landmarks along the Han River.
The active involvement of construction and design firms in the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone is largely influenced by the location of Seongsu-dong, which is emerging as a new affluent area, and Seoul City's urban planning to encourage skyscraper construction. The Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone faces Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong across the Han River. Seoul City has allowed a height limit of up to 250m, conditional on specialized design, which allows for construction up to about 70 stories.
The scale of the complexes is not small. Looking at the scale of each district, District 1 has 3,014 households, District 2 has 2,609 households, District 3 has 2,213 households, and District 4 has 1,592 households, totaling over 9,400 households in a large complex.
As competition and enthusiasm overheat, minor and major issues are arising. In District 1, the intense underground competition has led to issues among union members regarding dining meetings between union executives and certain construction company officials. In District 3, there are criticisms that Haeahn Architecture's proposal violates the maintenance plan by limiting buildings over 50 stories to 1-2 buildings, requiring a major change that typically takes more than a year.
Experts point out that overheated competition or excessive proposals can delay the project. A maintenance industry official said, "Seongsu-dong is a major location attracting the attention of both Seoul City and the industry," adding, "If excessive proposals or illegal matters are found, strong measures such as nullifying the bidding process may be taken."
ming@fnnews.com Jeon Min-kyung Reporter