- The Number of Bays Determines Subscription Performance... Popularity Stands Out Even Within the Same Complex
- Prestige Ja-i, All Units for General Sale Designed with 4-Bay Layout from Exclusive 49㎡ to 99㎡
The 4-bay layout is considered the most preferred floor plan in the real estate market. This is because it is highly likely that all three bedrooms and the living room face the direction of sunlight, and it offers the best space utilization. Recently, advances in design technology have attracted attention by applying the 4-bay layout even to small and medium-sized apartments.
A "bay" refers to a section between pillars based on the front balcony of an apartment, and simply put, it indicates the number of living rooms and bedrooms arranged on the front side of the apartment. For example, if the living room and two bedrooms face the front, it is a 3-bay layout; if the living room and three bedrooms, totaling four spaces, face the front, it is a 4-bay layout.
Generally, the more bays there are, the better the natural lighting and ventilation, which naturally helps reduce heating and cooling costs. Also, as the length of the balcony adjacent to the living room increases, expanding the balcony can secure a larger living space. Balconies are considered service areas that do not count toward supply area, exclusive area, or contract area, and thus are not reflected in the sale price or maintenance fees.
Because of this, even within the same complex, the number of bays can significantly affect the competition rate for subscription. According to Korea Real Estate Agency's Subscription Home, in July, the ‘Goyang Janghang Kaibeu Bora’ in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, recorded a competition rate of 46.04 to 1 in the first priority for the 84㎡A type with a 4-bay layout, where 134 units were offered and 6,170 applicants applied. In contrast, the 3-bay 84㎡B type (114 units offered) had a competition rate of only 21.10 to 1, less than half.
Similarly, the ‘Godeok International New Town Seohan Idaeum Grayton’ that held subscriptions in June showed competition rates of 18.87 to 1 and 12.94 to 1 for the 4-bay 84㎡A and B types, respectively, while the basic tower-type 84㎡C had a competition rate of only 3.03 to 1.
In particular, the 4-bay layout was once considered exclusive to medium and large-sized units, but with fierce design competition recently, it is being applied to small and medium-sized types as well. As the number of household members per unit decreases every year, construction companies are introducing practical specialized designs to secure the small household demand segment and differentiate themselves.
However, the supply volume is relatively low compared to demand, making it scarce. An analysis of data from Real Estate R114 and various company websites shows that from January to July this year, a total of 4,617 apartments with an exclusive area of 59㎡ or less were supplied in the metropolitan area, of which only about 1,180 units (around 26%) applied the 4-bay layout. This is a significant difference compared to the 74% ratio of 4-bay or more among apartments with exclusive areas between 60㎡ and less than 85㎡.
An industry insider said, "Recently, apartment buyers prefer to clearly separate spaces and secure private areas even in smaller units, so cases of placing three bedrooms in apartments with exclusive areas of 59㎡ or less are increasing," adding, "especially, specialized designs such as increasing bays or raising ceiling heights are applied to enhance space utilization and openness."
Among these, the ‘Prestige Xi’ by GS Construction, which will be supplied in October in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, is attracting attention for its rare 4-bay (excluding some duplex types) slab-type layout with cross ventilation for all general sales units, including the exclusive area of 49㎡, which is uncommon in reconstruction complexes.
Prestige Xi, introduced as the reconstruction project of Gwacheon Jugong 4 Complex in Byeolyang-dong, is a large apartment complex with 11 buildings, 3 basement floors, and up to 35 floors above ground, totaling 1,445 units. Among them, 287 units with exclusive areas ranging from 49㎡ to 99㎡ will be offered for general sale. The ceiling height is 2.5m, 20cm higher than typical apartments, maximizing openness and spatial feeling.
Prestige Xi is arranged mainly facing south, featuring exterior specializations such as curtain wall looks and landscape lighting. A large lawn plaza exceeding the size of a soccer field will be prepared in the center of the complex. Especially, on the top floor of the 35-story buildings, a wide sky bridge connecting the buildings will house resident convenience facilities such as a sky lounge with views of Gwanaksan and Cheonggyesan Mountains.
Community facilities include a fitness club, golf practice range, GX room, Pilates, sauna, children's library, and single-person study rooms. There will also be spaces and facilities for breakfast service and a swimming pool with four lanes, each 25 meters long.
The complex boasts the best residential environment in Gwacheon-si in terms of transportation, education, convenience facilities, and parks. The Government Gwacheon Office Station on Subway Line 4 is just a 3-minute walk away. Roads such as Gwacheon-daero, the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway, and Gwacheon-Bongdam Urban Expressway are well maintained, making it easy to access nearby areas including Seoul Gangnam, Suwon, Anyang, Yongin, and Pangyo.
It offers a safe educational environment for children with schools such as Munwon Elementary, Munwon Middle, Gwacheon High, Gwacheon Central High, Gwacheon Girls' High, and Gwacheon Foreign Language High. Using academies in the central commercial district is also convenient.
Emart (Gwacheon branch), Gwacheon Citizens' Hall, Government Gwacheon Complex, and Gwacheon City Hall are within walking distance. Nearby parks include Central Park and Small Park in front of the government office. Gateway Sports Park, Wonder Park, Seoul Grand Park, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, National Gwacheon Science Museum, and Gwacheon Botanical Garden are also close by.
Meanwhile, the subscription schedule for Prestige Xi starts with special supply on Monday, October 7, followed by first priority on Tuesday, October 8, and second priority on Thursday, October 10.
Applicants aged 19 or older who have held a subscription account for at least 12 months and meet the deposit requirements by region and area, residing in Gwacheon-si or the metropolitan area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon), can apply for first priority regardless of household head status or home ownership. Gwacheon-si is a non-regulated area, so there are no obligations for actual residence or restrictions on re-winning.
The announcement of winners will be on Wednesday, October 16, and the official contract signing will take place over three days from Monday, October 28 to Wednesday, October 30. The down payment is 10% of the sale price, and 60% of the 70% intermediate payment can be financed with a loan, with interest deferred. Balcony expansion is provided as standard.
The model house will be located in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and move-in is scheduled for October 2027.
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