Nation’s First National Urban Park Designation Imminent... Gwangju “Wipark The Central” Expected to Benefit

- Gwangju Jungang Park Emerges as Top Candidate for National Urban Park Designation Due to Its Size and Absence of Private Land
- Spotlight on Premium Park Complex Featuring Pleasant Natural Environment and Excellent Living Infrastructure

As Gwangju Jungang Park is increasingly likely to be designated as the nation’s first National Urban Park, attention is focusing on the local real estate market. The main obstacle to the park’s designation as a National Urban Park appears to be easing, and Gwangju Jungang Park?covering 2.79 million square meters and containing no privately owned land?has emerged as a leading candidate due to its size.

In fact, expectations have grown since February, when Representative Kwon Youngjin, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, proposed an amendment to the “Act on Urban Parks and Green Spaces.” The amendment seeks to lower the minimum area requirement for National Urban Park designation from the current 3 million square meters to 1 million square meters. With bipartisan consensus, the likelihood of the amendment passing is considered high.

An industry insider stated, “Once designated as a National Urban Park, the government will systematically allocate budgets and personnel to cultivate and manage the park, similar to Suncheonman National Garden or Mudeungsan National Park. This will not only enhance tourism value and convenience but will also bring a clear green premium effect to the surrounding real estate market.”

Amid these developments, “Wipark The Central,” currently being sold in Zone 2 of Gwangju Jungang Park, is drawing attention as a beneficiary of the potential National Urban Park designation. “Wipark The Central” will consist of seven buildings ranging from two basement levels to 29 above-ground floors, with a total of 695 units sized between 84 and 104 square meters for exclusive use.

Wipark The Central is the second private park-special project site supplied in Gwangju by Hoban Construction and Line Construction, following Maruk Park. Most of the project site will be developed as an urban park for Gwangju citizens, with a portion allocated for multifamily housing, making it a park-premium apartment complex.

Zone 2 of Gwangju Jungang Park, where the complex is located, is also receiving attention due to the planned construction of the “Children’s Imagination Playground.” Gwangju City plans to invest 19.8 billion KRW to develop a 4,000-square-meter facility on a 35,390-square-meter site. The playground will be a complex cultural space where children can enjoy various play, experiential, educational, and performance activities in both indoor and outdoor areas harmonized with the park’s forest. It is scheduled to open around 2028. In addition, various themed gardens such as the Regeneration Forest and Water Garden, the park’s green spaces, and walking trails within the complex will be organically connected to provide a nature-friendly residential environment.

The living infrastructure and transportation conditions are also excellent. Nearby are Lotte Mart, Lotte Outlet, Yeomju Sports Complex, Miraero 21 Hospital, and Gwangju World Cup Stadium. Residents can also easily access the living infrastructure of Sangmu District, one of Gwangju’s most popular residential areas. Educational facilities include Yeomju Elementary School, Hwajeongnam Elementary School, Hwajeong Middle School, and Gwangdeok Middle and High Schools.

In terms of transportation, residents will benefit from convenient access to Geumhwa-ro, Huijae-ro, World Cup 4th Place-ro, and the Second Ring Road. The planned Gwangju Subway Line 2 stations, Wonkwang University Hospital Station and World Cup Stadium Station, will further enhance accessibility.

The community facilities will also be diverse. Planned amenities include a fitness club, indoor golf practice range, small library, kids & moms club, and indoor table tennis room. The complex will feature a park-linked layout and specialized design for excellent sunlight, ventilation, and openness.

A sales representative commented, “With the increasing likelihood of National Urban Park designation, expectations for future value are rising. Inquiries from end-users and investors continue steadily, especially for the remaining available units.”

The remaining units of “Wipark The Central” are currently available for selection and contract on a first-come, first-served basis, with a fixed initial deposit of 10 million KRW. The model home is located in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju (near Ssangchon Station), and apartment move-in is scheduled for August 2026.