[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Samil Building (31 Building), Korea's first modern office building and the tallest skyscraper in Korea in the 1970s, has been reborn as a modern office after completing its renovation.
Comprehensive real estate developer SK D&D and global real estate investment company Ventale Green Oak announced on the morning of the 23rd that they held a completion ceremony after finishing the remodeling of Samil Building.
Located on Cheonggyecheon-ro in Jongno-gu, Samil Building has a total floor area of approximately 40,000㎡ and consists of 2 basement floors and 31 above-ground floors. Standing 114 meters tall, it was the tallest skyscraper in Korea from its completion in 1970 until the main building of Lotte Hotel Seoul (138m) was completed in 1978.
In terms of design, it holds high historical value as Korea's first modern office building, designed by architect Kim Joong-up who was influenced by Mies van der Rohe's Seagram Building, a pioneer of modern buildings in New York. Recognizing its value, the Seoul Metropolitan Government designated it as a Seoul Future Heritage site, and in 2013, it was ranked 12th among Korea's best modern architectures.
However, as the building aged, SK D&D and Ventale Green Oak purchased Samil Building in 2019 and have been carrying out remodeling to enhance its value. KCC Construction was responsible for the construction. After completing the construction and pilot operation, the two companies held a completion commemorative event attended by investors, asset management companies, and major tenants on this day.
The remodeling concept of Samil Building this time is 'Re-Iconize.' It means inheriting the historical value of Samil Building as an 'icon of modernization' while rebirthing it as a building that coexists longer with the modernized surrounding urban environment. In other words, the focus was on maintaining Samil Building's identity as a modern cultural heritage while enhancing the aesthetic value and functionality of both interior and exterior to a prime building level.
The exterior design preserved the original facade method and curtain wall system designed by architect Kim Joong-up, maintaining its unique proportional beauty. Additionally, the front, including windows and lighting, was improved to increase visibility inside the building. The symbolic circular columns inside Samil Building were kept intact, and the central area was improved with horizontal design elements to enhance spatial efficiency. The building's advantage of having full-height windows was complemented by adding an open ceiling to secure a sense of spaciousness inside, thus improving the efficiency of the existing design.
The newly transformed Samil Building is now closer not only to tenants but also to the general public. The integrated curtain wall connecting from the 1st and 2nd floors above ground to the 1st and 2nd basement floors and the sunken garden provide a refreshing openness while naturally connecting from Cheonggyecheon to the building interior. In particular, improvements to the lower floors have enhanced accessibility, enabling the building to serve not only as prime office space but also as a public space.
Samil Building has already signed lease contracts before completion with SK Networks, Seoul Tourism Foundation, and the book caf? 'Cafe Comma,' and tenants are scheduled to move in starting at the end of this month. Notably, SK Networks' move into Samil Building will realize an integrated headquarters along with SK Magic and SK Rent-a-Car.
Hwang Sun-pyo, head of SK D&D, said, "This project is a successful example of SK D&D's joint venture with global investors and the fourth remodeling project following Transport Square, Myeongdong Cheonghwi Building, and Jeju Chosun Hotel. Remodeling projects are especially valuable as they bring vitality and energy to cities and represent a market with great growth potential. Based on the experience and know-how accumulated through various projects, SK D&D plans to continue investment and development."
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