- 32.9% of Public Institution Workers Relocated to Innovation Cities Move Alone, Driving Strong Demand for Small Rental Units
- Growing Local Interest in ‘ePyeonhansesang Wonju Primo Won’ Offering Small Units Long Awaited in Wonju City
DL E&C is preparing to launch sales of ‘e-Pyeonhansesang Wonju Primo One’ in Wonju, a city with abundant job opportunities and high rental demand centered on single- and two-person households.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as of the end of May, Wonju’s population totaled 361,030, accounting for about 23.6% of the total population of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter Gangwon), which stands at 1,533,081. This means that one in every four people in Gangwon lives in Wonju. The population of Wonju has steadily increased over the past three years, with an increase of 9,051 people compared to the same month three years ago.
This population growth trend in Wonju appears to stem from the ‘abundant job opportunities’ that stand out even within Gangwon. According to Wonju City Hall, the number of workers in industrial complexes at the end of last year was 9,890, steadily increasing from 9,004 at the end of 2020 and 9,739 at the end of 2021. This represents an increase of 886 people (about 9.8%) over two years.
Moreover, Wonju has a relatively high proportion of single- and two-person households, which are the main drivers of rental demand. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Wonju has a total of 170,053 households, broken down by household size as follows: ▲1-person households 70,752 (41.6%) ▲2-person households 43,430 (25.5%) ▲3-person households 28,415 (16.7%) ▲4-person households 21,117 (12.4%) ▲5-or-more-person households 6,339 (3.7%). Single- and two-person households accounted for 114,182 households (67.1%), which is significantly higher than the national average of 65.7%.
Additionally, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, one in three workers at relocated public institutions in Gangwon Innovation City is a ‘single migrant.’ Among 7,018 workers, 2,309 were single migrants, accounting for 32.9%. This explains the popularity of small-sized units in Wonju.
The popularity of small-sized units was also evident in the real estate transaction market. Statistics show that in April, the ratio of lease and monthly rent transactions was more than twice that of sales transactions in Wonju. When looking at lease and monthly rent transactions by unit size, units sized between 25 and 30 square meters accounted for 46-51% of transactions last year and this year (as of April).
In terms of transaction volume, last year, units sized between 20 and 25 square meters (3,133 transactions, 38.7%) had the highest volume, while this year (as of April), units sized between 30 and 35 square meters (1,262 transactions, 38.7%) had the highest transaction ratio. However, considering that there has been no supply of units smaller than 30 square meters in Wonju since last summer and only medium- and large-sized units have been supplied, it can be interpreted that the transaction volume of small-sized units is high relative to supply, indicating strong demand.
Accordingly, attention is focused on ‘e-Pyeonhansesang Wonju Primo One,’ which DL E&C plans to launch. The complex will be located in the Panbu-myeon area and will consist of six buildings ranging from two basement floors to 25 floors above ground, with a total of 572 households and exclusive areas ranging from 59 to 102 square meters. By exclusive area, ▲59㎡ 137 households ▲74㎡ 213 households, totaling 350 households, will mainly be small-sized units. In addition, reasonable pricing and contract conditions such as full interest-free installment payments are expected, attracting high interest from potential buyers.
‘e-Pyeonhansesang Wonju Primo One’ will also feature the ‘C2 House’ specialized design for the first time in Wonju. The C2 House is a lifestyle-customized residential platform unique to e-Pyeonhansesang, designed with an active flexible structure and optimal residential flow to reflect diverse customer preferences, making the home not just a place to stay but a ‘multi-use’ space where self-realization and relaxation are both possible.
Inside the units, all households come equipped with an entrance pantry as a standard feature. For units of 74㎡ or larger, a significantly expanded large entrance pantry is applied to enhance storage efficiency. The ‘one-stop laundry zone’ allows for side-by-side placement of a washing machine and dryer. The kitchen features wide windows to maximize lighting and ventilation, and convenience has been improved by adjusting the countertop height to suit modern body conditions.
A sales official stated, “Despite the recent cold wind in the sales market due to high interest rates and economic recession, ‘e-Pyeonhansesang Wonju Primo One,’ as the country’s top residential brand, is expected to avoid the downturn by presenting a product optimized for local demand through thorough market analysis. Furthermore, the rarity value of being Wonju’s first ‘C2 House’ is expected to attract high interest from buyers.”
‘e-Pyeonhansesang Wonju Primo One’ is scheduled for occupancy in November 2025.
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