Attention on Gangdong Station SK Leaders View Commercial Facility, a Courtyard-Type Commercial Space Attracting Idle Funds

- Design featuring an open 'tteul' in the middle of the building... good visibility and longer customer stay time
- 'Gangdong Station SK Leadersview Commercial Facility' introduces approximately 1,000㎡ plaza-style courtyard design

Even amid the real estate market downturn, commercial facilities with specialized designs continue to attract visitors. In particular, commercial facilities featuring courtyard (中庭) designs are emerging as 'hot places,' drawing significant attention from investors.

The courtyard design refers to constructing the building's center in a square or circular shape, creating a courtyard in the middle of the building. This structure addresses the common drawbacks of typical commercial facilities, which often suffer from poor lighting and ventilation. Compared to conventional box-shaped facilities, it reduces the feeling of confinement even during extended stays, making it advantageous for encouraging longer customer visits and boosting consumption. Additionally, visitors entering the courtyard can view the commercial facility in all directions, and various events or pop-up stores held in the courtyard make it easier to attract crowds.

A commercial real estate expert stated, “Recently, there has been a trend to go beyond merely supporting residential and office spaces on upper floors by putting effort into the design and merchandising of commercial facilities from the building’s planning stage. This naturally leads to the continuous entry of key tenants, who serve as core stores that attract customers.”

A representative example of success with courtyard design is the commercial facility within Mecenatpolis in Mapo-gu, Seoul. It has become a landmark commercial facility synergizing with its proximity to the subway station, housing popular restaurants and various cafes.

Accordingly, attention is also focused on newly supplied courtyard-type commercial facilities. A prime example is the ‘Gangdong Station SK Leaders View Commercial Facility,’ constructed by SK Ecoplant on the former KT Gangdong branch site in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Approximately 15,000㎡ of commercial space is created within the complex, allowing residents to shop, dine, and use convenience facilities without leaving the premises. Furthermore, it differentiates itself by introducing a plaza-style courtyard design of about 1,000㎡.

Additionally, it is designed as an urban relaxation space based on the ‘Greenity Garden Concept (Green + Community Garden),’ featuring diverse green spaces. A themed MD composition that can satisfy various demands is also anticipated.

The ‘Gangdong Station SK Leaders View’ officetel, with a total of 378 units, has secured a fixed demand base. Unlike typical studio-type officetels, it mainly consists of 3-room layouts with exclusive areas of 84 to 99㎡, broadening the demand pool and enhancing purchasing power. Located opposite Gangdong Seongsim Hospital and surrounded by abundant office and residential facilities, visits to the commercial facility are expected to be continuous. Moreover, with the housing development project around Cheonho Station to Gildong Station underway and Gildong Station adjacent to the complex selected as a target for subway station area revitalization projects, surrounding development is gaining momentum, further increasing the value of the commercial facility.

Since July, the Godeok Biz Valley has begun occupancy and is expected to employ over 15,000 people upon completion in 2024. It will also feature a large-scale complex facility including a movie theater and shopping mall, with IKEA entering Seoul for the first time. The Gangdong Advanced Business District houses over 40 companies, including Samsung Engineering, Samsung C&T, and CESCO. The engineering complex district is planned to be developed as a digital engineering complex integrating 3D design and O&M based on the engineering industry.

A sales official said, “This is a major brand commercial facility combined with officetels, and inquiries are steadily coming mainly from investors who highly value the stable future value of the subway station area.”

Meanwhile, Gangdong Station SK Leaders View plans to simultaneously launch sales of the commercial facilities and officetels in February.