The 'Symbol of Wealth in the 70s' Turned Eyesore... Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment Demolished After 54 Years

Connecting to Namsan Park with an Observation Park and Terrace on the Upper (4th) Floor
'Namsan Lounge' Cultural Space with Book and Kids Cafes on the 3rd Floor
Bus and Passenger Car Parking from Basement 2 to Ground 2 Floors
D Grade in 2004, Redevelopment Project Resumed Since 2021
Remaining Resident Relocation and Compensation Negotiations Ongoing, Construction Targeted for 2026

Once a symbol of wealth in the 1970s, Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment, which has become an eyesore after 54 years, will disappear into history. After demolition, it will be reborn as a complex cultural space connected to Namsan Park. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to encourage the remaining residents to relocate, complete land acquisition procedures, and begin construction in 2026.

Status of Hoehyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment (Data=Seoul City)

On the 13th, Seoul announced that it will conduct a 14-day public inspection of the 'Hoihyeon-dong Area District Unit Plan Decision (Draft)' for the urban planning facility decision of Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment, and start the district unit plan decision process in the first half of this year.

Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment was the first generation of land leasehold housing in Korea, built with one building of 352 households from basement level 1 to 10 floors above ground. Among apartments built in the 1970s, it had relatively high floors and a U-shaped layout with many households, differing from existing citizen apartments. It was close to the city center and mainly consisted of 15 to 16 pyeong (approximately 50 to 53 square meters) units, where middle-class residents primarily lived, so initially, many middle-class families moved in. In 2004, a detailed safety inspection classified it as a D-grade hazardous facility, triggering demolition discussions. Nearby Hoihyeon 1st Citizen Apartment was demolished in 2003 and is now used as Jung-gu Hoihyeon Sports Center.

The city announced a compensation plan in 2006 and promoted a 'resident consent' type clearance project by purchasing and demolishing the building. From 2016, remodeling was reviewed for five years, but after resident meetings and surveys, the project direction was finalized in 2021 to resume the clearance project. Remodeling was pursued from 2016 but was ultimately decided as a clearance project.

Seoul explained, "Since 1997, we have been establishing plans to clear citizen apartments built on national and public land from 1969 to 1971, purchasing and demolishing 433 buildings (17,050 households). Among them, returning the last remaining 'Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment' to a citizen space holds special significance."

Perspective view of the complex cultural space to be built on the site of Hoehyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment (Source: Seoul City)

Taking advantage of its location connecting Namsan and downtown Seoul, a complex cultural space will be created on the site of Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment to expand infrastructure such as tourist convenience facilities. The top floor will be connected to the Namsan green space, and the lower space will house resident convenience facilities and parking lots.

The upper level (4th floor) will have direct access from Sofa-ro Street, with an observation park and terrace where citizens and tourists can overlook the city center at a glance. On the 3rd floor, the 'Namsan Lounge' will be established, featuring a book caf?, kids caf?, and rest lounge. It will host cultural performances and events year-round and offer a space to view the city center day and night.

To alleviate parking difficulties around Namsan Park, floors from basement level 2 to 2nd floor above ground will be used as large bus parking spaces. The basement will serve as a parking lot for regular passenger cars. A rest area for drivers will also be created in the bus parking lot. The scale of facilities such as the observation park, complex cultural space, and number of parking spaces will be finalized during the district unit plan decision and urban planning facility project stages.

The city expects that after obtaining approval for the implementation plan in 2025 and completing land acquisition procedures in the first half of 2026, construction can begin within 2026. Once the district unit plan is decided, a design competition will be held to establish an innovative architectural plan.

Perspective view of the complex cultural space to be built on the site of Hoehyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment (Source: Seoul City)

Currently, compensation and relocation have been completed for 325 out of 352 households in Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment. Residents who have not agreed to compensation or relocation will be encouraged to relocate through negotiations and compensation contracts with Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation before the urban planning facility project is implemented.

The city has been conducting negotiations and compensation with remaining residents through on-site offices, resident briefings, and providing various materials related to special supply. Owners who meet qualifications under the 'Seoul Metropolitan Government Special Supply Rules for National Housing for Demolition Victims' will be provided with building compensation, special supply rights for public housing, relocation expenses, moving costs, and temporary housing. Tenants will also be provided with rental housing or relocation and moving expenses.

Han Byung-yong, Director of the Housing Policy Office of Seoul City, said, "Through the clearance project of Hoihyeon 2nd Citizen Apartment, we aim to protect citizens' safety from disaster-risk facilities, solve the tourist bus parking problem in downtown and Namsan areas, and see it reborn as a new scenic spot and cultural space. We will actively support it to become a new citizen cultural hub in the Namsan area with creative and innovative design."