A New Apartment Complex with up to 29 Floors and 1,450 Units to be Built in Gocheok-dong

The aging residential area in Gocheok-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, will be redeveloped into a new apartment complex with up to 29 floors and 1,450 households.

On the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the confirmation of the Rapid Integrated Planning for the area around 253 Gocheok-dong. Considering the diverse educational, cultural, and natural resources in the area, as well as the simultaneous promotion of multiple development projects such as Rapid Integrated Planning and Moa Town, the city has prepared a harmonious development plan for the surrounding area.

The target site is located within a 1 km radius of about ten elementary, middle, and high schools and is close to Gocheok Neighborhood Park. Despite its high regional potential with the upcoming opening of the Sin-Guro Line, the area has remained a neglected and poor residential zone. Development was difficult due to steep slopes, narrow roads causing traffic difficulties, and issues securing sunlight rights for Segok Elementary School.

With the confirmation of this Rapid Integrated Planning, new apartments with around 29 floors and 1,450 households will be constructed in the area. It will be developed as an eco-friendly, child-friendly residential complex integrated with nature.

Taking into account the location characteristic of embracing Segok Elementary School, a linear green space will be planned along Gocheok-ro 33-gil to create a safe route for children going to school. Additionally, a living street connected to Gocheok Neighborhood Market, a central space for local residents along Gocheok-ro, will be established to revitalize the area.

In particular, to establish an integrated transportation system with multiple development projects in the area, plans for short- and long-term road widening of Gocheok-ro 33-gil have been prepared. Furthermore, a land compensation plan has been devised for irregularly shaped plots at the boundaries of public facilities such as schools and parks, providing solutions to problems that residents would find difficult to resolve on their own.

Also, customized community facilities for residents have been placed under the deck created by the gradually increasing steep slope (terrain difference of 26m) toward Gocheok Neighborhood Park. By enhancing land efficiency and linking with walking paths within the complex, the plan aims to turn the challenging terrain into an advantage to increase the value of the complex.

To create an open landscape harmonizing with Gocheok Neighborhood Park, the current 7-story residential zones of types 1 and 2 will be relaxed to type 2 residential zones with heights around 29 floors. A public pedestrian passage and visual corridor connecting to the park will be planned to create a skyline harmonious with the park.

The residential buildings adjacent to Segok Elementary School will be composed of about 10 floors to avoid affecting sunlight rights. Meanwhile, Gocheok Neighborhood Park (100,000㎡) located on the east side of the site serves as a living area park responsible for the rest and health of Gocheok-dong residents. High-rise tower-type residential buildings will be arranged around the park to secure visual corridors.

With the confirmation of the Rapid Integrated Planning for the area around 253 Gocheok-dong, the city plans to actively support the swift establishment of maintenance plans. By applying the simplified procedures of Rapid Integrated Planning, the project duration is expected to be significantly shortened through integrated review by the Urban Planning Committee’s delegated subcommittee and the project implementation plan.

Jo Nam-jun, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Planning Bureau, said, “The Rapid Integrated Planning for Gocheok-dong is a good example of utilizing parks, steep slopes, and schools?previously considered development constraints?as regional resources,” and added, “We hope that the Gocheok-dong area, which had been neglected in development, will be transformed into a better residential complex through various maintenance projects such as Rapid Integrated Planning and Moa Town.”