- Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio, Incheon’s Representative 'Mega High-End Resort City' Development
- Luxury Landscaping and Unprecedented Level of Community, Pursuing a Premium Lifestyle
‘Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio’ (hereinafter Geomropu), currently being developed as the largest complex in Seo-gu, Incheon, has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish itself as the region’s representative “ultra-large high-end resort city.” Notably, it has decided to select its own Construction Management (CM) company to ensure a fair construction process and rigorous quality inspection.
CM, commonly referred to as construction management, involves overseeing tasks from design to scheduling and quality control during construction. As such, it is typically selected for government-commissioned national projects or large-scale public works.
It is unusual for private apartment projects to select their own CM company. This is because it incurs additional costs and, due to the nature of CM duties, interference in material inspections and overall construction processes is inevitable, which contractors generally do not welcome.
Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio has established a “triple construction safety mechanism” by selecting not only the contractor but also the supervisor and CM. The construction management company chosen at the early stage of the project is the top domestic CM firm, Geonwon Engineering Consortium. By selecting the CM company before the apartment construction begins, specialized construction management personnel reside on-site to meticulously review all aspects from the start of construction to completion.
Kim Hyo-jong, CEO of DK Urban Development and DK Asia, stated, “The ‘Wanggil Station Royal Park City Prugio’ resort city Season 2, which will begin sales in the second half of this year, also selected a CM company from the early stages. Our company plans to be the first in Incheon to select a construction management company for all projects.” He added, “This system is part of our efforts to build Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio not only as Incheon’s leading apartment complex but also as an ‘ultra-large high-end resort city.’”
“We will create Incheon’s leading apartment complex” ? Decision to increase investment in landscaping
Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio is unprecedented in scale. Combining phases 1 and 2, it comprises a total of 4,805 households across 25 buildings, with heights reaching up to 40 floors. Industry insiders predict that in two years, the 40-story large-scale apartment complex lining the Gyeongin Ara Waterway will emerge as one of the region’s landmarks. In terms of scale, it is more than three times larger than the high-end apartment complex by G Construction Company in Yeonsu Songdo (1,503 households, 9 buildings).
Despite completing sales last year, the developer attracted attention with bold investments. To create Incheon’s leading apartment complex, additional investments were made in landscaping and landscaping facilities.
First, Geomropu purchased landscaping trees two years before sales. Typically, these are procured six months to a year before move-in, but Geomropu secured high-quality landscaping trees early to enhance landscaping quality. The main tree species in the complex are evergreen trees such as pine and fir, allowing residents to live in an eco-friendly green city lush throughout all four seasons.
Water features will also be created for each complex. The water space in Phase 1 is named “Royal Park Bay,” inspired by Canal City in Fukuoka, Japan, and Canal Walk in Songdo. To express a lively space image, various water landscape effects are emphasized.
Surrounding Royal Park Bay, pine trees are the main species, maximizing landscaping value. Some waterfront decks will feature spaces incorporating typical European planting patterns, providing unique visual attractions.
The water space in Phase 2, called “Ara Park Bay,” will include various water features inside the installed pond along with a ferry boat sculpture. Walking paths connected along the waterfront decks will be equipped with rest decks and a 50-person dining table, among other convenience facilities.
Six tea houses for residents will be built around Royal Park Bay (Phase 1) and Ara Park Bay (Phase 2). Tea houses of one and two stories will be harmoniously arranged, with a design concept embodying the sea, river, and flowing waves. These will provide residents with the best spaces for relaxation and mental well-being while enjoying tea by the water.
The landscaping will be exceptional. European-style sculptural fountains and intricately detailed embroidered flower beds will be created in the European-style Palace Garden (Phase 1) and European-style Royal Garden (Phase 2), giving residents the feeling of strolling through European gardens. Luxurious fountains, typically seen only in hotels and resorts, will also be installed at the main entrances of each complex to add elegance.
Consideration for children has not been overlooked. A theme playground inspired by Everland is planned. Phase 1 will feature the country’s first water pool bucket that pours water within the complex.
[▲View of 'Topaz,' a two-story tea house within the 'Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio' complex]
Additionally, an adventure world with water cannons, such as the Caribbean Bay playground, will be created to evoke the feeling of visiting Everland year-round. The largest-ever Safari World in a domestic apartment complex will debut in Phase 2. Designed as an experiential space inspired by the Amazon Valley and African jungle exploration, it will offer themed experiences of playing with various animals.
Unprecedented community facilities, showcasing the evolution of community living
Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio will also feature unprecedented community facilities. Matching its mammoth scale, it will include a gymnasium equipped with a climbing wall, indoor running track, GX room, and fitness center that can be used regardless of weather. Two mini theaters within the complex will be planned, divided into a kids-only theater and a general screening room.
Phase 1 will have a mini water park-style swimming pool, while Phase 2 will feature a 25-meter, three-lane swimming pool combined with a water park. SPA and sauna facilities will also be installed. In response to the recent surge in golf enthusiasts, a high-end golf practice range and screen golf course equipped with the latest GDR devices for swing form analysis will be planned within the complex. Residents will be able to learn and play golf without leaving the complex.
Along with high-end concierge services such as home cleaning, child school commute assistance, and senior safety calls, a customized guest house that can be used separately or integrated according to the number of visitors will be installed. The complex will also prepare themed party rooms suitable for birthdays and home parties, as well as various educational facilities including national and public daycare centers and kindergartens, Kids Moms Zone, and a green library.
Kim Hyo-jong, CEO of DK Urban Development and DK Asia, said, “Since Geomropu aims to be an ultra-large high-end resort city, we have prepared unprecedented community facilities so that residents can feel the utmost pride.” He added, “Our company is meticulously reviewing and researching what facilities would be best to create community facilities that go beyond apartment branding and take responsibility for residents’ pride and lifestyle.”
Wanggil-dong to Gyeongseo-dong 3.5km road finalized… Undisputed ‘Cheongna living zone’
On the 25th, the results of the 4th Metropolitan Area Traffic Congestion Road Improvement Project were finalized, confirming a new 3.5km four-lane road between Wanggil-dong and Gyeongseo-dong. The road length is 3.5km, and the section will be straightened underground, reducing travel time to Cheongna to 6?7 minutes.
Industry experts said, “Currently, the main road to Cheongna International City is Baekseok Bridge, which often experiences congestion. However, with the newly finalized Wanggil-dong to Gyeongseo-dong road, the transportation network to Cheongna will be expanded, greatly improving accessibility.” They added, “This will provide Geomropu with the opportunity to establish itself as an apartment complex within the Cheongna living zone, allowing faster access to major commercial areas in Cheongna International City.”
Currently, using Naver’s quick route finder, it takes 14 minutes to reach Starfield Cheongna or Cheongna Medical Complex Town (where the Seoul Asan Hospital consortium has been selected as the preferred negotiator) from Geomropu. However, with the newly announced 3.5km underground straightened Wanggil-dong to Gyeongseo-dong road, travel time to Starfield Cheongna or the medical complex will be reduced to 6?7 minutes. From Seo-gu Geomam-dong’s Geomam District Seohae Granble to Cheongna Medical Complex Town takes 16 minutes, from Sky City Xi in Yeongjongdo 24 minutes, and from Geomdan New Town Geomdan Hoban Summit Phase 1 26 minutes.
Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio also offers quick access to Seoul. By car, it takes only 19 minutes from Geomropu (Handeul District) to Magok District (near LG Science Park).
Abundant benefits in transportation, medical care, and shopping in Seo-gu, Incheon
Recently, Seo-gu has been attracting significant attention in the real estate market due to continuous major benefits in transportation, medical care, shopping, and employment.
First, according to the finalized “4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan” at the end of June, accessibility from Seo-gu, Incheon, and western areas like Gimpo to Seoul will be greatly improved. Representative improvements include the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo and Geomdan (from Banghwa Station to Gimpo, Gyeonggi) and the extension of Incheon Line 2 to Ilsan. Especially, once the Ilsan extension opens, it will be possible to reach Gangnam in 20 minutes via GTX A Line from KINTEX Station.
The Airport Railroad connecting Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station is also undergoing a “railroad high-speed project.” Previously, it took 35 minutes from Geomam Station to Seoul Station, but this will be reduced to 27 minutes, cutting 8 minutes. Additionally, the “direct connection project between Seoul Subway Line 9 and the Airport Railroad” linking Gimpo Airport Station with Line 9 is expected to accelerate, enabling Seo-gu residents to travel to Gangnam without transfers.
Expectations are also high for Incheon Line 3, connecting Songdo and Geomdan. Included in the 2040 Incheon Urban Basic Plan public hearing, Incheon Line 3 will run from Dalbit Festival Park Station (Songdo) on Incheon Line 1 to Geomdan Oryu Station (Seo-gu, Incheon) on Incheon Line 2. This north-south line will allow transfers between Lines 1 and 2, enabling access throughout Incheon.
It is not just transportation. Nearby Cheongna International City is set to have large retail facilities such as Starfield Cheongna and Costco Cheongna. In medical facilities, the Seoul Asan Hospital consortium has been selected as the preferred negotiator for Cheongna Medical Complex Town, with the main contract expected to be signed by the end of this year.
Increasing demand from Hana Financial Group and LG Magna headquarters
Demand from the hinterland is also increasing. Since relocating its integrated data center in 2017, Hana Financial Group plans to complete its move to Cheongna by 2024. Including the headquarters of Hana Financial Group, Hana Bank, Hana Financial Investment, Hana Card, and Hana Life, about 2,800 employees will be based there, with a total of approximately 15,000 Hana Financial-related personnel expected to reside in Cheongna, including affiliates and training staff.
Additionally, LG Magna, an automotive electronic equipment company nurtured by LG Electronics as a future growth engine, is expanding its scale. About 1,000 personnel from LG Electronics’ Green Business Division within the Vehicle Components Business Headquarters will move to LG Magna and continue to use the LG Electronics Incheon Campus near Cheongna International City.
Furthermore, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is negotiating to attract Hyundai Mobis’s hydrogen fuel cell system research and production facility to the foreign-invested company exclusive site in the Incheon High-Tech Park (IHP) urban advanced industrial complex, which has been revised to allow Korean companies to move in.
Meanwhile, ‘Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio’ (contractor Daewoo E&C) consists of two complexes with 25 buildings ranging from two basement floors to a maximum of 40 floors above ground. The total supply area is a mammoth complex of 4,805 households with exclusive areas ranging from 59 to 241㎡. When subscriptions were held in June last year, a staggering 84,730 people applied. This figure is 46% higher than Incheon’s previous record held by ‘Hillstate Songdo The Sky’ (58,021 applications), breaking the previous record and achieving the highest in Incheon. Move-in is scheduled for June 2023.
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