"Namsan Signboard"... Leaving Reflections
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] As the Seoul Namsan Millennium Hilton Hotel, boasting a history of about 40 years, closes its doors forever on the 31st, many netizens are expressing their heartfelt farewells through online communities and social networking services (SNS).
On the 30th, Hilton announced the end of operations for the Namsan Millennium Hilton on its official website. Room and some restaurant reservations are only available until that day, and after the official closure on the 31st, the Millennium Hilton will be removed from Hilton's portfolio.
Netizens who heard this news are expressing their regrets. One netizen wrote on the SNS 'Twitter,' "I can't believe Namsan Hilton is disappearing forever into history," adding, "As soon as I saw the news about the closure, I hurried over to take pictures and say goodbye to the staff."
Another netizen shared, "It was a landmark place in Namsan where we often held company dinners, and thinking that it will no longer exist breaks my heart. Goodbye now." Some also shared photos of the hotel's interior that they had taken.
Work of Korea's First-Generation Architect Kim Jong-seong... Closes After 40 Years of Operation
Meanwhile, the Millennium Hilton is a 5-star hotel with one basement floor and 22 floors above ground, built in 1983. It is also famous as a building designed by architect Kim Jong-seong, regarded as Korea's 'first-generation modern architect.'
In particular, the 'atrium'?an open courtyard inside the building?spanning the height of six apartment floors inside the building was reportedly a highly challenging design that was attempted for the first time in the domestic architecture industry at that time.
During the 1999 International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial crisis, Hilton sold ownership to CDL Hotel Korea, a subsidiary of Daewoo Development under the Daewoo Group. Later, due to deteriorating profitability, it was sold again to Aegis Asset Management. Aegis Asset Management plans to demolish the current hotel building and construct a complex consisting of offices and hotels.
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