- Global UAM Market Size Estimated at $609 Billion by 2040... Aggressive Investment by Major Corporations
- Full-Scale Innovation Projects in Yeouido... 20-Minute Flight to Incheon Airport, Construction of Seoul Port and 2nd Sejong Cultural Center
Everyone has probably wished at least once for flying cars when stuck in traffic jams on congested roads. This thought and desire seem poised to become a reality soon. As early as next year, flying drone taxis are expected to appear over Yeouido.
Drone taxis are a type of Urban Air Mobility (UAM). They can take off and land vertically without a runway and operate on electric energy, producing less pollution and noise, making them an eco-friendly future transportation option. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the global UAM market size is projected to grow from $10.9 billion (approximately 14.19 trillion KRW) at the initial commercialization stage in 2025 to $609 billion (approximately 792.8 trillion KRW) by 2040. Competition among large corporations to secure the future ecosystem is intensifying, raising expectations.
In Seoul, Yeongdeungpo-gu’s Yeouido will be the first to take a step into drone taxis. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, aiming for UAM commercialization by 2025, is promoting a demonstration project in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. For the second phase of the demonstration project, the routes Gimpo Airport?Yeouido (18 km) and Jamsil?Suseo (8 km) have been selected. Demonstrations will begin as early as the second half of next year, allowing drone taxis to soar through the skies.
Once commercialized, it will be possible to travel from Yeouido to Incheon Airport in about 20 minutes at speeds of 200?300 km/h. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expects that by 2040, the expansion of the domestic UAM market will create 160,000 jobs, generate 23 trillion KRW in production inducement effects, and produce 11 trillion KRW in added value.
As expectations for aerial routes grow beyond ground and underground transportation, attention is focusing on the Yeouido area. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering linking UAM with the Great Hangang Project. With innovative development projects such as Seoul Port?the country’s first planned international port?Second Sejong Cultural Center, financial district unit plans, and apartment district unit plans being vigorously promoted, some predict that Yeouido will become a master key determining the competitiveness of domestic cities in the future.
An industry expert said, “As projects encompassing residential, commercial, business, and tourism sectors in Yeouido become visible, the real estate market is also stirring. The combination of existing infrastructure and large-scale development is increasing interest not only from actual users but also from investors.”
Amid this, DL E&C’s ‘Acro Yeouido The One,’ currently for sale in the heart of Yeouido, is attracting attention. This high-end residential complex, built on the former Yusoo Holdings site, consists of 492 units across seven basement floors to 29 floors above ground.
The complex is located in a prime area near Yeouido Station on subway lines 5 and 9, and just 300 meters from IFC Mall and The Hyundai Seoul, the core of Yeouido’s infrastructure. IFC Mall and The Hyundai Seoul are connected to the complex by an underground passage, allowing convenient access to shopping and cultural activities. Large convenience facilities such as the 63 Building and Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital are also abundantly available. Yeouido Park and Yeouido Hangang Park, representing Yeouido, are nearby.
Situated in the center of the Financial Specific Development Promotion Area, a financial business cluster, it offers excellent proximity to workplaces. Accessibility is expected to improve steadily with the development of GTX-B Line, Western Line, and Shinansan Line. Since office supply in the Financial Specific Development Promotion Area is expected to focus on recommended industries such as finance and fintech to increase floor area ratio, the rarity of residential complexes is also rising.
The residential units come in seven types ranging from 49 to 119 square meters. Featuring a specialized 4- and 5-Bay design and ceiling heights up to 2.6 meters?higher than the typical apartment ceiling height of 2.3 meters?the units provide a more comfortable and open atmosphere. Italian luxury brand GESSI fixtures are used for water taps, adding a touch of sophistication to the detailed finishes.
Parking spaces are designed with a maximum height of 2.6 meters to accommodate foreign cars conveniently, and mechanical parking specifications allow for large sedan vehicles. Shared storage rooms, elevators equipped with air purification and sterilization functions, and AI- and IoT-integrated control systems are also provided.
The clubhouse, ‘Club Acro,’ spans approximately 973 pyeong (about 3,214 square meters) and includes the Acro Lounge, a luxury indoor pool, a private golf lounge, a society club, a fitness club, and an open library, offering abundant leisure options from community activities to hobbies. The luxury indoor pool is a hotel-style swimming pool about 25 meters long with two lanes, expected to provide an experience akin to visiting a high-end hotel.
Currently, a 50% down payment and 60% interest-free loan on intermediate payments are supported to minimize interest burdens. Additionally, free options such as entrance doors and ceramic tile art walls for all units, washing machines, dryers, and kimchi refrigerators are provided, effectively reducing the sale price. As a residential officetel, it is exempt from acquisition tax surcharges and does not require a funding plan report.
Meanwhile, the ‘Acro Yeouido The One’ exhibition hall is located at 63 Square, and unit selection on a first-come, first-served basis and advance visit reservations are currently underway.
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