Privacy, views and natural light: Low-coverage apartment complexes grow more valuable

[Financial News] The building coverage ratio of apartment complexes is drawing attention as a major factor in determining residential conditions. Lower coverage ratios make it easier to create wider spaces between buildings and more landscaping areas, attracting continued interest from homebuyers who value privacy, natural light and views.
On the 11th, according to the “2026 Real Estate Trends” survey jointly conducted by Gallup Korea, Heerim Architects and R2Korea Real Estate Investment Advisory Inc., the share of respondents who said they consider green spaces and landscaping when choosing a home rose to 28%, up 10 percentage points from 18% the previous year.
The building coverage ratio is the proportion of a lot’s total area occupied by buildings. A lower ratio leaves more ground-level space available for landscaping, walking paths, plazas and other uses.
Some complexes with low building coverage ratios are trading at prices well above their initial presale prices. According to actual transaction data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, an 84-square-meter unit at Unjeong New City I-Park in Dongpae-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, where the building coverage ratio is about 13%, sold for 795 million won on the 24th of last October. That is 410 million won more than its 385 million won presale price in 2017.
An 84.51-square-meter unit at Dongtan Station Sibeom Hanwha Kkumegreen Prestige in Cheonggye-dong, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, where the building coverage ratio is about 14%, also sold for 1.84 billion won last June. That was an increase of 1.47 billion won from the approximately 370 million won presale price in 2012.
The complexes are also clearly popular in the presale market. Cheongju Prugio Cieliche, offered for sale in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, last April, was planned as a park-style complex with a building coverage ratio of about 14% and restricted vehicle traffic at ground level. Contracts for all units were completed last August.
Construction companies are also bringing out complexes with low building coverage ratios. Hanwha Forena Jije Station, being developed by Hanwha Corporation E&C Division in Segyo-dong, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is planned to have a building coverage ratio of about 14%. The complex was designed with a plaza and distinctive landscaping at its center to ensure ample space between buildings. The layout also takes natural light and ventilation into account, with most buildings oriented south.
Inside the units, windows with integrated glass railings will be standard, reducing structures that obstruct the view. The development will also feature the “Blue Air System,” which exchanges indoor air without opening windows, as well as windows designed for improved airtightness.
Hanwha Forena Jije Station consists of 1,098 units with exclusive areas of 84 and 116 square meters, across 12 buildings ranging from two basement levels to a maximum of 27 floors above ground. Applications for the second-priority subscription will be accepted on the 11th. Winners will be announced on the 18th, and the contract period will run from the 29th through December 1.

[email protected] Choi A-young Reporter