Recently, despite the economic slowdown caused by high inflation and high interest rates, commercial districts linked to large complex shopping malls are experiencing a trickle-down effect and revitalization. The notion that complex shopping malls negatively impact surrounding commercial areas has become a thing of the past.
This is because a virtuous cycle is established where abundant foot traffic centered around large complex shopping malls leads to active operation of nearby stores, attracting more people and revitalizing the commercial district.
Research findings that complex shopping malls have positively influenced local commercial district revitalization also support the activation of commercial areas near these malls. The Korea Distribution Association announced in 2019 that the commercial district sales within a 5 km radius increased by 6.3% one year after Starfield City Wirye opened.
According to the research, as foot traffic increased, sales at restaurants within 5 km of Starfield City Wirye rose by 5.7%, coffee shops by 8.1%, pharmacies by 14.9%, and convenience stores by 6.7%. This can be interpreted as Starfield City Wirye having a positive impact on the entire local commercial district.
A recently spotlighted area is the Hwaseo Station commercial district, where Starfield Suwon is set to open in December. The Hwaseo Station commercial district, where Starfield Suwon will be located, will form a large commercial area connected by a bridge to the Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel commercial facility, as well as the Hwaseo Station Food Alley across the crosswalk. Together with Daeyupyeong Park, it is emerging as Suwon’s representative shopping mecca.
Currently, Starfield Suwon is planned to be 100,000㎡ larger than Lotte Mall Suwon, the largest complex shopping mall at Suwon Station, making it the largest commercial district in Suwon.
Accordingly, the ‘Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel’ commercial facility, connected by a bridge to Starfield Suwon, is actively leasing spaces, and it can enjoy a fixed demand from the 1,125 households residing there.
The ‘Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel’ commercial facility offers an open and spacious feel, with all units located on the first floor facing the front, facilitating easy customer inflow. Moreover, its highly efficient layout designed to enhance customer convenience and increase dwell time is advantageous for boosting spending power.
The Life Zone, located at the innermost part of the complex, is planned as basic residential support businesses such as convenience facilities for residents of Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel, including beauty salons, coin laundries, and convenience stores.
The F&B Zone adjacent to the Food Alley utilizes its geographic advantage facing the Hwaseo Station Food Alley and the crosswalk to form an extension of the pedestrian dining line. Reflecting the increasing trend of pet owners among residents and customers visiting Starfield Suwon, the pet zone shops can include pet grooming salons and pet cafes.
The Cafe & Pub Zone located at the front of the public open space secures openness and comfort, making it suitable for brunch cafes. When awnings or terraces are added, the public open space is expected to become more vibrant as well.
Most importantly, the connection to the entrance and exit of Starfield’s vehicle access is a key point, and with Daeyupyeong Park and the planned Seonjaemi Park nearby, it can attract visitors coming from the parks. Additionally, parking lots are planned underground near Daeyupyeong Park and Seonjaemi Park adjacent to the Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel commercial facility, making it more convenient for external customers to access and gather.
Furthermore, the ‘Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel’ commercial facility is a station-area commercial property within walking distance of Hwaseo Station on Line 1, absorbing abundant foot traffic. The extension of the Shinbundang Line (scheduled for 2028) is planned, which will create a double station area upon opening and is expected to attract a wider regional demand.
There is also a metropolitan bus stop nearby that passes through Gangnam and Pangyo Techno Valley, and the commercial facility is located on a main road adjacent to Suseong-ro and Daepyeong-ro, making vehicle access easy. Moreover, Daeyupyeong Park surrounds the complex, securing demand from park visitors, and as a face-to-face commercial area linked to Hwaseo Station’s food district, it can enjoy a seven-day-a-week commercial district.
Currently, Daewoo Construction is selling some units of the ‘Hwaseo Station Prugio Brichiel’ commercial facility located in Jangangu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
