Amid the contraction of the officetel market due to the ongoing interest rate hikes since last year, officetels located near workplaces continue to perform well.
According to the Korea Real Estate Board's Subscription Home, more than half (9 out of 16) of the officetels that held subscriptions in the first half of this year failed to meet subscription targets. Many places did not exceed a subscription competition rate of 1:1. On the other hand, the ‘Guri Station Lotte Castle The Central’ officetel, launched in March in Guri City, Gyeonggi Province, attracted attention for its location close to the Gongdeok and Yongsan business districts, recording an average competition rate of 33.21:1.
As the ‘work-life balance’ trend spreads, officetels located close to workplaces are gaining popularity. Especially when situated near industrial complexes, they offer not only convenient commuting but also reduce vacancy risks and promise stable income generation through abundant demand from numerous company employees and floating populations, making them highly popular among investors.
A representative example is the ‘Shinyoung Jiwel Prugio Technopolis Central’ residential officetel located in Cheongju Technopolis, Chungbuk. When the first-round subscription was held in July, 6,606 applicants competed for 234 units, resulting in an average competition rate of 28.23:1 and a peak of 38.67:1 (exclusive area 108㎡OA).
Cheongju Technopolis, where the complex is located, is an approximately 3.8 million square meter industrial complex designed as a self-sufficient city with systematically developed residential, commercial, government office, and school facilities alongside enterprises. Large companies such as SK Hynix and LG Household & Health Care, along with related companies, have settled here. It is also close to Cheongju Industrial Complex, Cheongju General Industrial Complex, Osong Life Science Complex, and Ochang Science Complex, making it an optimal environment for living and business operations.
The government's plan to establish a national advanced strategic industry specialized complex is also a positive factor. In July, the government designated Cheongju as a national advanced strategic industry specialized complex for secondary batteries. This development is expected to increase regional value and infrastructure expansion due to population inflow, promising high future value.
An industry insider said, “The polarization in the officetel subscription market this year based on proximity to workplaces is due to increased market uncertainty, which has raised preference for ‘stable’ investment destinations.” They added, “Areas with industrial complexes like Cheongju Technopolis, which heated up the subscription market this year, have attracted popularity by offering stability, profitability, and liquidity?the three key factors of investment.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Shinyoung Jiwel Prugio Technopolis Central’ residential officetel is drawing attention with news of first-come, first-served unit and building designation contracts.
The complex is located at San 4-2, Songjeol-dong, Cheongju City (Cheongju Technopolis General Industrial Complex S1 Block), consisting of two buildings from basement level 2 to ground level 27, with a total of 234 units of 108㎡ exclusive area. Combined with the previously successful apartment complex (84~130㎡ exclusive area, total 1,034 households), the total scale reaches 1,268 households.
First-come, first-served contracts do not require a subscription savings account, and anyone aged 19 or older can sign a contract regardless of residence area or home ownership. Unlike general sales conducted by lottery, buyers can directly select their desired building and unit number. The complex allows immediate resale upon contract and offers full interest-free benefits on intermediate payments.
The ‘Shinyoung Jiwel Prugio Technopolis Central’ residential officetel boasts excellent proximity to workplaces and product competitiveness that surpasses existing officetels. It features a single exclusive area of 108㎡, designed with a spacious layout similar to an 84㎡ (approximately 33 pyeong) apartment.
The complex is primarily oriented southward to maximize natural light, and the 108㎡OA type has a kitchen and living room facing each other, which is advantageous for ventilation and airflow. The shared bathroom separates the wash area as a dry space to maintain cleanliness. Sensible space design includes paid options such as an integrated island dining table, creating a trendy interior that exceeds typical apartment standards.
A smart wall pad has been introduced to enhance residential convenience, enabling elevator calls, delivery arrival notifications, parking location checks, heating and lighting control, gas shutoff, energy usage monitoring, and unauthorized intrusion alerts. Additionally, four system air conditioners are installed in the living room and all rooms, and free installation of entrance doors and built-in wardrobes in small rooms has been provided, receiving positive responses from actual residents.
An exclusive officetel community is also planned, including a fitness club with various exercise equipment, a spacious and comfortable golf practice range, a screen golf facility with the latest equipment, and a GX room for indoor workouts.
The model house for the ‘Shinyoung Jiwel Prugio Technopolis Central’ residential officetel is currently open.
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