Incheon Songdo 6·8 District Development Project Accelerates... International Design Competition Review

Three International Design Firms Participate... Preferred Bidder to Be Selected Next Month
Construction of 103-Story Tower and Cultural Street Set to Begin in 2026

The development project for Districts 6 and 8 in Songdo International City, Incheon, where a 103-story supertall tower and other structures will be built, is accelerating with the goal of starting construction in 2026.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on the 13th that it conducted an international design competition review for the central development project of Districts 6 and 8, tentatively named 'iNEX City'.

At the review held the previous day at POSCO E&C Songdo Headquarters, three foreign design firms from the UK, Germany, and the United States participated and presented their design plans. Bluecore PFV, the project implementer, plans to negotiate with the preferred design firm selected through the review by next month and then reveal the final design plan.

This competition was promoted to incorporate innovative architectural designs centered around four zones, including Landmark Tower I and II in Songdo Districts 6 and 8, themed spaces, and cultural streets.

Aerial view of the central development project of Songdo 6·8 District. Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and Bluecore PFV signed an agreement in May 2023 to invest 7.6 trillion won in developing a 1.28 million square meter site in Songdo, creating a 103-story or taller landmark tower-centered urban theme park, an 18-hole public golf course, residential, commercial, and exhibition facilities.

Regarding Landmark Tower I, construction at the originally agreed height of 103 stories (420 meters) is proceeding following the resolution of air traffic safety issues at the end of last year. Previously, the Seoul Regional Office of Aviation had reported that the Landmark Tower I building, planned to be over 400 meters tall, could affect aircraft flight procedures and conducted a safety assurance study, concluding that maintaining the building height posed no problems.

In Songdo Districts 6 and 8, a distinctive cultural street will also be created along a 1.5 km section connecting Dalbit Festival Park Station on Incheon Subway Line 1, passing Landmark Towers I and II, to the coastal themed space.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority aims to complete approval for development and implementation plan changes within the first half of this year, followed by signing the business agreement and land sales contract, targeting construction commencement in 2026.

Yoon Won-seok, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, said, "The Districts 6 and 8 development project is a core project that will enhance the prestige of Songdo International City and strengthen its global competitiveness." He added, "We will do our best to create an innovative design that results in a differentiated space satisfying not only Incheon but citizens worldwide."