"Hyundai Motor Group: GBC to Be Established as Korea's Landmark"
Eco-Friendly and Public-Oriented Green Space Open to Citizens
Combined Business and Cultural Facilities to Revitalize Local Commerce
Formal Negotiations with Seoul Metropolitan Government to Begin in March
Hyundai Motor Group is creating a large-scale urban forest-style green space open to the public at the 'Global Business Complex (hereinafter GBC)' in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The plan is to develop the GBC into a landmark where citizens can enjoy and relax by creating a large green space equivalent to the size of two soccer fields.
On the 19th, according to Hyundai Motor Group and industry sources, the revised and supplemented GBC development plan proposal with design changes was submitted to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and the new design was unveiled in February. Hyundai Motor Group plans to begin formal negotiations with the Seoul Metropolitan Government in March based on this design.
According to the proposal, the GBC will consist of three 54-story towers of the same height at 242 meters, along with two low-rise buildings housing exhibition halls and performance venues. A large-scale green space open to the public will be located at the center of the complex.
Departing from the traditional landmark design style that emphasizes high-rise buildings, the design reflects recent urban development trends that form a harmonious skyline with the surrounding area and emphasize flexible and horizontal spatial arrangements. From the design conception stage, priority was given to green spaces, and building placement was made considering harmony with the surroundings and regional connectivity.
GBC design bird's-eye view to be developed in the Samseong-dong area, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Provided by Hyundai Motor Group
Creating Green Spaces Befitting a Global City Like Seoul
A Hyundai Motor Group official explained that securing green space to enhance the sustainability and public nature of the GBC is aimed at elevating Seoul’s stature as a global city and improving the urban living environment for its citizens.
The open green space in the form of an urban forest will symbolize Seoul and form a monoculture grove of ginkgo trees, which hold various cultural and historical meanings. In terms of scale, it is one of the largest green spaces within a privately developed complex in Korea, measuring twice the size of a soccer field (14,000㎡).
Adjacent to the Gangnam Area Integrated Transit Center (GITC) ground plaza (13,780㎡), it will secure a citizen-shared space twice the size of Seoul Plaza in the Gangnam urban area. It will also serve as a hub for the pedestrian network within the international exchange complex district that naturally connects COEX, GITC, GBC, Tancheon Stream, Jamsil MICE, and the Han River.
Additionally, it is expected to improve citizens’ quality of life by reducing carbon emissions, mitigating urban heat island effects, lowering fine dust levels, and cutting off traffic and living noise. The presence of green spaces offering various attractions, entertainment, and resting places is anticipated to increase the influx of diverse populations, significantly contributing to the revitalization of local commercial districts.
GBC to be Established as a Future Mobility Innovation Hub and Landmark
The main buildings, the tower blocks, will consist of three towers. These towers will be high-tech office facilities integrating eco-friendly technologies such as renewable energy and carbon emission reduction with future mobility technologies including autonomous driving, robotics, PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle), and UAM (Urban Air Mobility).
Hyundai Motor Group envisions the GBC as a testbed for future new businesses and a mobility innovation cluster that creates synergy through collaboration with resident companies such as global corporations, professional consultants, and startups. In addition to office facilities, an observatory offering panoramic views of major Gangnam landmarks, a luxury hotel catering to long-term business travelers among VIP visitors, and officetels will be established.
The low-rise buildings will be used as complex cultural spaces for citizens, including exhibition halls and performance venues. The exhibition hall will be designed as a differentiated interactive space showcasing experiential science content, while the performance hall will be equipped with advanced sound systems to accommodate various genres, creating a cultural space for citizens.
The GBC design was entrusted to the world-renowned eco-friendly architect Norman Foster. He is an expert who designed the Bloomberg European Headquarters in the UK, Apple Park in the USA, and 50 Hudson Yards.
A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "The GBC will be built as a future-oriented design and a representative landmark of Korea with enhanced sustainability and public nature," adding, "We will closely cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure the successful promotion of the GBC project."
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