[Report] "Can't Miss Gangbuk Raemian Large Complex"... Crowds Flock from Day One

'Raemian La Grande' First Priority Subscription on the 16th
Model House Crowded Amid Seoul Subscription Fever
Careful Review of Sale Price, School District, Transportation, and Options

"In the morning, mostly parents came for consultations to help their children secure a home, but by the afternoon, many young couples, including newlyweds, arrived. Since a high subscription competition rate is expected, there were many questions about strategic aspects." (Ramian La Grande model house consultant)

On the afternoon of the 11th, the consultation desks at the Raemian La Grande model house inside the Raemian Gallery in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, were fully occupied. / Photo by Noh Kyung-jo

On the afternoon of the 11th, at the Ramian Gallery located in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, the footsteps of people wanting to see the Ramian La Grande model house installed inside continued nonstop. This day marked the opening of the model house for 'Ramian La Grande' (Imun 1 District Redevelopment), which is part of the Imun-Hwigyeong New Town redevelopment project, considered the largest redevelopment project in the Gangbuk area, and the first day of the official sales schedule.

The consultation desks operated without a break, with more than 30 consultations conducted at over 10 desks until around 5 p.m. Considering that Samsung C&T had been providing consultation services through a welcome lounge even before the model house opened, it was possible to feel not only the popularity of Ramian La Grande but also the rekindled enthusiasm for subscription. A sales official explained, "It is a large complex with over 3,000 households, and since it is the first supply in Dongdaemun-gu Imun New Town, it carries representativeness. Above all, the trust that the Ramian brand provides seems to be significant."

Two unit types of slab-shaped exclusive areas, 59㎡A and 84㎡A, were prepared. Visitors carefully examined everything from built-in wardrobes to art walls and built-in appliance options. Among these, the exclusive 59㎡A seemed to require some consideration for space utilization as the master bedroom was too small to accommodate a built-in wardrobe. The system air conditioner is provided free of charge, but adding an air purification function incurs an additional cost, which was also a point to check. A woman in her 60s who came to see the model house on behalf of her child said, "The model house is so well decorated that it makes you want to imitate it," adding, "The built-in (kimchi) refrigerator in the kitchen looks neat, but we need to consider the cost." Other floor plans and types could be viewed through the model map.

Living room view of 84㎡A exclusive area in Raemian La Grande with an art wall applied. / Photo by Noh Kyung-jo

Those surrounding the complex layout map were busy comparing the guide's explanations with the pictures in the pamphlets they held in their hands. Since many of the general sale units, including the exclusive 84㎡, were on lower floors, they paid close attention to how many floors the pilotis were, the distance between buildings, and the locations of walking paths and community facilities. Among these, aside from the consistently cited weakness of the school district, there were also comments that the transportation conditions were somewhat lacking. Although it is possible to walk to Hwayang Station and Sinimun Station on Subway Line 1, it is not a complete station area, and since the complex is large, the rear buildings are farther from the stations. A 35-year-old woman who commutes to Gwanghwamun Station said, "As a single-person household, I am considering exclusive areas of 52㎡ or 55㎡," adding, "The sale price doesn't seem bad, but the transportation is a concern."

Putting aside various strengths and weaknesses, the market is predicting a successful subscription. In April, at Hwigyeong 3 District, which was grouped as one redevelopment promotion district, Hwigyeong Xi Decencia (GS Construction) closed first-priority subscriptions early with an average competition rate of 57.1 to 1. Although the sale price has risen since then, it is judged to be reasonable considering future value. Some predict that this year will see the highest number of subscription accounts submitted in Seoul. A Samsung C&T official said, "On the second day of the model house opening, Saturday, the weekend, prospective subscribers started visiting early in the morning without stopping," adding, "Some shortcomings such as transportation conditions and floor levels can be compensated by village buses and pilotis."

Ramian La Grande will be built with 39 buildings ranging from 5 basement floors to a maximum of 27 floors above ground, totaling 3,069 households with exclusive areas ranging from 52 to 114㎡. Among these, 920 households will be for general sale. The sale price is set at an average of 32.85 million KRW per 3.3㎡, with the exclusive 84㎡ priced between 1 billion and 1.1 billion KRW. The subscription schedule starts with special supply on the 14th, followed by first-priority subscription on the 16th. Winners will be announced on the 23rd, and contracts will be signed from September 3 to 6. Move-in is scheduled for January 2025. The resale restriction period for sale rights is one year (from the announcement date of winners), and there is no obligation for actual residence.

On the morning of the 12th, visitors are lining up to tour units at the Raemian La Grande model house inside the Raemian Gallery in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Samsung C&T Corporation