Suwon, Dongtan, Pyeongtaek, then Asan... Quick Investors Follow the 'Samsung Belt' to Tap into the 'Money Flow'

- Samsung Digital City, Nano City, Display City... Investor Interest Shifts Following 'Samsung City'
- Asan Tangjeong's First Knowledge Industry Center 'Unicorn101' and Other Residential Alternative Income Real Estate in Focus

▲ Perspective view of ‘Unicorn101,’ a knowledge industry center in Tangjeong District, Asan, scheduled for sale in November

The ‘Samsung Belt,’ which connects Samsung Digital City in Suwon, Hwaseong Dongtan, and Pyeongtaek with Samsung Display City in Asan Tangjeong, is becoming one of the key factors influencing real estate investors' sentiment. This is because these areas, rich in high-quality jobs, are experiencing a steady increase in housing demand.

In fact, among these regions, Asan Tangjeong, which is geographically the farthest from Seoul, has shown strong growth, with nearby apartment prices rising by 40% within a year after Samsung announced in October last year that it would invest 13.1 trillion KRW in Samsung Display City by 2025. Furthermore, housing supply has been continuously increasing since the second half of the year, and a large-scale residential district of about 30,000 households is planned to be developed in the Asan Tangjeong area. As a result, Asan New Town, which has played a role as a Samsung satellite city and significantly boosted the local economy of Asan City, is expected to make another leap forward.

Meanwhile, following the government's declaration of ‘Smart Korea’ last February and the announcement of extensive support plans for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups to strengthen future new industry competitiveness such as smart factories and ‘SoBuJang (materials, parts, and equipment),’ demand for income-generating real estate such as knowledge industry centers near Samsung Display City, where about 80,000 new jobs are expected to be created, is also projected to increase rapidly.

Amid this trend, ‘Unicorn101,’ which will be the first knowledge industry center in Asan Tangjeong and is about to be launched for sale, is attracting attention.

‘Unicorn101,’ which will start sales this month, is developed by Hana Asset Trust Co., Ltd. and constructed by Dongseo Construction Co., Ltd. It is an urban support facility built on approximately 13,510m2 of land in block 5-7 of the Asan Tangjeong housing development district, with a total floor area of about 74,215m2 from two basement floors to ten above-ground floors. It will include 330 knowledge industry center units, 291 dormitory rooms, and neighborhood living facilities.

The location, about 200 meters right in front of the main gate of Samsung Display City 2, stands out first. Due to the nature of knowledge industry centers, where proximity to major client companies is important as well as transportation convenience, it is expected that many related companies, including key partners of Samsung Display, will move in, attracting the interest of display-related knowledge-based small and medium enterprises.

Another advantage is the close access to KTX·SRT Cheonan Asan Station, which is planned to be developed as a complex transfer center, and Tangjeong Station on Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, scheduled to open in 2022. It is connected to Seoul and all regions nationwide within a daily living zone via the West Coast and Gyeongbu Expressways.

The project site is surrounded on three sides by green spaces, with a stream flowing right in front and a sports park across the street, offering excellent views and a pleasant environment. The differentiated spatial design reflecting the trend of knowledge industry centers evolving into complex work and cultural complexes is also expected to attract investors' attention.

The knowledge industry center offers various floor plans ranging from 31.1m2 to 117.3m2 of exclusive area, designed in a section office style that allows spaces to be subdivided according to use, considering the needs of both users and investors. Facilities for tenant companies such as reception rooms, shared meeting rooms and warehouses, and refresh rooms will also be provided.

The dormitories, with 12 types ranging from 26.6m2 to 40.4m2 of exclusive area, are designed with a ceiling height of up to 4.3 meters and duplex layouts, and some units will feature wide terraces with open views.

The neighborhood living facilities will include distinctive cafes and restaurants, a fitness center, a golf practice range, and a large rooftop garden for leisure time enjoyment. In particular, sauna facilities and outdoor spas utilizing natural hot spring water are expected to become healing spots favored by tenants pursuing work-life balance (WLB).

The parking lot accommodates 532 vehicles, about twice the legally required number, with approximately 40% of the spaces designed as wide expanded parking spots, adding convenience to work and life.

A sales representative for ‘Unicorn101’ stated, “As Samsung Display is reorganizing its business centered on the Asan site, such as selling its subsidiary Samsung Corning Advanced Glass’s Gumi factory to a Chinese company in mid-September, the location value is expected to rise,” adding, “It will be a knowledge industry center that can enjoy the Samsung City premium proven in Suwon, Dongtan, and Pyeongtaek.”