Exhibition Hall to Be Created on Lower Floors of Prime Office Building
Strengthening International Business Functions Linked to MICE Facilities
Urban Airport Services to Resume, Introducing Easy Drop Service
Prime offices will be introduced on the site of the urban airport terminal in the COEX area of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, further upgrading international business as well as cultural and artistic functions. The suspended urban airport service function is scheduled to resume in connection with the COEX remodeling, which is expected to be completed in 2029.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 23rd that it has prepared a development plan (draft) for the COEX area and will conduct a public inspection notice to gather residents' opinions. Since August last year, the city has received proposals from residents including the Korea International Trade Association and has held continuous discussions with project operators regarding the COEX site.
The COEX area has developed since the establishment of the basic plan for the Korea Comprehensive Trade Base Construction in the 1980s, equipped with infrastructure such as a convention center, urban airport terminal, hotels, department stores, shopping malls, performance halls, and office facilities. In particular, COEX is a core hub of the MICE industry, hosting 170 exhibitions and events such as KIAF and Frieze Seoul, and the Seoul Cafe Show last year, along with 1,789 domestic meetings and 24 international conferences.
The main point of this development plan is to introduce prime offices on the site of the urban airport terminal. A cultural and artistic exhibition hall with a total floor area of 9,900㎡ will be created on the lower floors. It is expected to create synergy with various art events such as KIAF and Frieze Seoul.
Since the urban airport terminal closed in 2023, the site has been used as an airport bus stop, wedding hall, office facilities, and neighborhood living facilities, but usage has been low.
The urban airport service function, which has had continuous requests for resumption, will be reactivated in connection with the COEX remodeling project scheduled for completion in 2029. When the urban airport service resumes, an 'Easy Drop' service allowing check-in and baggage handling outside the airport will also be introduced. This will be implemented after agreements with Korea Urban Airport Asset Management and Incheon International Airport Corporation.
Two new entrances will be established in the COEX underground area, which houses the Starfield Library and commercial facilities, directly connecting to the Gangnam area metropolitan complex transfer center. Indoor and underground public pedestrian pathways will be improved to enhance walking convenience around Samseong Station and Bongeunsa Station.
The outdoor space will be connected naturally from the Han River and Tancheon waterfront areas through the Gangnam area metropolitan complex transfer center’s ground plaza to Seonjeongneung. Rest areas for citizens, such as urban forests and plazas, will also be created.
The Korea International Trade Association is currently promoting an international naming design competition for the east facade (crown section) and south facade of the COEX exhibition hall. The winning design, expected to be announced around March, will be linked to the international exchange complex district, aiming to newly establish COEX as a world-class exhibition and convention center.
Kim Chang-gyu, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Balanced Development Headquarters, said, “Through this redevelopment of the COEX area, we will further strengthen its status as Korea’s representative MICE space and a leading global hub for business, commerce, and culture. We will also accelerate projects to enhance Seoul’s global influence, including the COEX development, Hyundai Motor site (GBC) development, Jamsil sports and MICE private investment projects, and the complex development of the Yeongdong-daero underground space.”
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