Gwanak-gu Dismantles Building Left as an Eyesore for 18 Years... Constructs Urban Residential Housing

Full-scale Demolition of Abandoned Building at 704-1 Boramae-dong Halted Since 2007 Begins
Preparations for Urban-type Residential Housing Construction Underway
Relieving Residents' Anxiety Over Safety Hazards and Urban Blight, Improving the Living Environment Expected

Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Junhee) is set to begin the demolition of a building that has been left as an eyesore with construction halted for about 18 years.

The building, located in a residential area of Bongcheon-dong (704-1 Boramae-dong, Gwanak-gu), was planned in 2007 as a neighborhood commercial building ranging from two basement floors to seven above ground floors, but construction stopped after only the framework was completed.

With many commercial buildings densely located nearby, the abandoned building with dangerously protruding rebar and other hazards posed various problems, including safety risks and deterioration of the urban landscape.

In response, the district has continuously attempted to demolish the long-neglected building and held two meetings with stakeholders in December last year and January this year. Subsequently, preparatory work such as detailed safety inspections considering residents' safety before demolition was conducted.

Currently, the district is preparing for phased demolition work, including the installation of temporary scaffolding, in cooperation with a private developer. Demolition is scheduled to begin in earnest in April and aims to completely dismantle the building by December this year.

On the site where the demolition is completed, an “urban-type residential housing” will be constructed. In particular, the district plans to simultaneously prepare for the demolition and the construction of the new building to rapidly improve the residential environment.

District Mayor Park Junhee stated, “Since residents have endured inconvenience for a long time, we will actively cooperate to create a space that is truly needed by the community,” adding, “Through close cooperation with the private developer, we will safely demolish the building to alleviate residents’ concerns and do our best to create a pleasant living environment and improve the local image.”