Traffic Enhancing Work Efficiency... Spotlight on Knowledge Industry Center 'Metapia' with Comprehensive Transportation Network

- Seohae Line Double-Track Subway-KTX (Scheduled for 2023), Seobu Inland Expressway (Scheduled for 2024) and other transportation benefits
- Creation of ‘Metapia I’ warehouse, manufacturing factory, live office, dormitory, and ‘Metapia II’ manufacturing factory

Amid the government's stringent housing market regulations, knowledge industry centers have emerged as promising investment destinations, with those boasting excellent transportation networks gaining popularity.

In fact, industry experts advise carefully considering the surrounding transportation when selecting a knowledge industry center. Centers equipped with well-connected transportation networks offer excellent industrial linkage by providing convenient access not only to nearby areas but also to major industrial complexes. Additionally, the ease of logistics movement enables efficient operations and is expected to reduce costs. Furthermore, convenient commuting enhances employee satisfaction.

As a result, knowledge industry centers with superior transportation networks have achieved rapid sellouts. In April, the ‘Deok-eun DMC IS BIZ Tower Central’ in Deok-eun District, Goyang City, successfully sold out in a short period. The anticipated transportation benefits from the Daejang-Hongdae Line (scheduled for 2030), along with well-established road networks such as Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Olympic-daero, and Jayu-ro, were considered key factors.

Similarly, ‘The Columbus Asan Tangjeong,’ launched in September last year in Asan Tangjeong District, also achieved a quick sellout. It attracted attention due to its proximity to Cheonan Asan Station, where KTX and SRT stop, Tangjeong Station on Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, the Tangjeong IC on the Dangjin-Cheonan Expressway (scheduled to open in 2022), and nearby expressways including the Seohaean Expressway and Gyeongbu Expressway.

Kwon Gang-su, director of the Korea Startup Real Estate Information Institute, stated, “Knowledge industry centers located in areas with excellent transportation not only enhance work efficiency but also help improve working environments, attracting significant interest from companies.” He advised, “It is beneficial to pay attention to knowledge industry centers in locations with planned transportation developments or those with easy access to surrounding industrial complexes and business districts.”

Meanwhile, the knowledge industry centers ‘Metapia I & II’ are scheduled for sale in June in Naepo New Town, Chungnam. As the only innovation city in Chungnam with a well-connected transportation network, these centers are expected to attract considerable interest.

‘Metapia I’ will be developed in Shingyeong-ri, Hongbuk-eup, Hongseong-gun, Chungnam, spanning approximately 47,000 square meters over one basement floor to seven above-ground floors. It will include warehouses, manufacturing-type factories, knowledge industry centers with live offices, dormitories, and neighborhood living facilities. ‘Metapia II’ will consist of manufacturing-type factories in a knowledge industry center covering about 21,000 square meters from one basement floor to five above-ground floors.

Naepo New Town, where Metapia is located, boasts excellent living infrastructure, including transportation, housing, and natural environments. Hongseong Station is just a 10-minute drive away, and roads such as Eungbong-ro, Chungnam-daero, and Docheong-daero provide convenient access to adjacent industrial complexes like Jeunggok Specialized Agricultural and Industrial Complex, Eungbong Industrial Complex, and Sapgyo Specialized Agricultural and Industrial Complex. Additionally, Haemi IC connecting to the Seohaean Expressway and Yesan Sudeoksa IC on the Dangjin-Yeongdeok Expressway are nearby, facilitating easy travel to other regions. Major transportation developments such as the Seohae Line and Janghang Line double-track railway (scheduled for 2023) and the Western Inland Expressway (Pyeongtaek-Buyeo section, scheduled for 2024) will enable travel to Seoul within an hour once completed.

The presence of green spaces like Naru Park and Hasan Park around the knowledge industry centers is also noteworthy. Having parks and green rest areas near workplaces enhances a pleasant working environment, boosting work efficiency. Moreover, unlike most knowledge industry centers located in industrial complexes, Metapia is situated within an innovation city, offering excellent proximity between residence and workplace.

In particular, the complex boasts a prime location within the high-tech industrial complex of Naepo New Town, ideal for businesses. Naepo New Town houses over 120 administrative institutions, including the Chungnam Provincial Government Office and an integrated administrative network. The high-tech industrial complex, covering 1.26 million square meters in Hongbuk-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungnam, comprises industrial facility sites and industry-academia cooperation facility sites, with completion targeted for the end of December this year. The industrial facilities will host advanced manufacturing sectors such as electronics, electrical, medical, machinery, and automotive parts, while the industry-academia cooperation facilities will accommodate knowledge and cultural industry facilities like programming and science and technology services.

Currently, 38 companies and institutions have been attracted to the Naepo high-tech industrial complex. Among them, five manufacturing companies have commenced normal factory operations, nine companies and institutions are constructing factories and research centers, and 24 companies have purchased land and are preparing for construction. Furthermore, various benefits such as the attraction of an AL data center, designation as a hydrogen energy regulatory free zone, and the establishment of a KBS broadcasting station are planned. Consequently, Naepo New Town is expected to emerge as a regional innovation hub linking industrial cities in the Chungcheong area, including Seosan, Yesan, Asan, and Dangjin.

‘Metapia’ offers excellent product value with various customized options such as live offices and dormitories, as well as space designs considering tenant companies. It will feature built-in system live offices, smart drive-in & door-to-door systems (excluding some units), freight elevators, and underground warehouses for goods storage. Additionally, it will provide diverse convenience facilities and high-quality community spaces to enhance work efficiency. Facilities include terraces (excluding some units), meeting rooms, lounges, showers, balconies, laundry rooms, kitchens, fitness centers, and rooftop gardens. The project site is adjacent to green spaces and parks, with nearby streams offering excellent views and a pleasant environment.

Unlike apartments, ‘Metapia’ does not require a subscription savings account and is relatively free from regulations such as resale restrictions. Especially, various tax reduction benefits are offered to tenant companies until December 31, 2022, including a 50% reduction in acquisition tax and a 37.5% reduction in property tax, along with value-added tax refunds for new purchases. There is also diverse financial support for company relocations and new or expanded businesses. Moreover, since tenant companies tend to lease long-term once settled, stable rental income can be expected, and loans up to 70-80% of the sale price are available.

‘Metapia’ currently operates a sales promotion center.