'The Hyundai Gwangju' to Break Ground in October... Opening Planned for First Half of 2028

Gwangju City and Hyundai Department Store Group Hold Groundbreaking Briefing on July 8

'The Hyundai Gwangju,' the first private complex cultural and commercial facility in the Gwangju area, will break ground in October 2025. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2027, with the opening planned for the first half of 2028.

On July 8, the Gwangju City Government and Hyundai Department Store Group held a groundbreaking briefing for 'The Hyundai Gwangju' in the city hall business room, sharing updates on the project, plans for space configuration, and the overall vision. The briefing was attended by Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, Chung Ji-young, CEO of Hyundai Department Store, and Na Wonjoong, Head of The Hyundai Gwangju Corporation.

'The Hyundai Gwangju' will be a large-scale complex shopping mall with a total floor area of 272,955 square meters (82,569 pyeong) and a commercial area of 100,890 square meters (30,000 pyeong), spanning six basement floors and eight above-ground floors, and providing parking for 2,652 vehicles. It will be the first large-scale private commercial facility to be established in the city center. The project began in November 2022 with a proposal from Hyundai Department Store Group, and The Hyundai Gwangju Corporation was established in February 2023. The building was designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. On June 18, 2025, the construction permit was approved, completing the procedures necessary for groundbreaking.

At the briefing, Na Wonjoong, Head of The Hyundai Gwangju Corporation, explained the future construction schedule, the direction for the design of the construction barricade, and the main spatial contents. 'The Hyundai Gwangju' will be created as a space combining shopping, culture, and art. The construction barricade will serve not only as a simple barrier but also as a medium to showcase Gwangju's cultural content.

The first and second floors above ground will feature a 'Luxury Street' and a 'Floating Garden,' inspired by 19th-century European city centers. An approximately 60-meter-high central void will run from the first floor to the ceiling, emphasizing a sense of openness. Floors three to five will include an indoor botanical garden, sculptural escalators, and a multifunctional space for art, exhibitions, and performances. Floors six and seven will be designed with hanok-style roofs, an inner courtyard, and a 1,320-square-meter (400 pyeong) glass skylight to maximize natural lighting.

At the development briefing session for 'The Hyundai Gwangju' complex shopping mall held at Buk-gu Office in Gwangju on the 8th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Song Bohyun

In a promotional video produced by Hyundai Department Store, the keyword 'New Originality' was highlighted to emphasize Gwangju's cultural value and the project's spatial strategy.

Chung Ji-young, CEO of Hyundai Department Store, stated, "All administrative procedures were completed in just one year," and expressed the ambition to develop the site into a landmark that attracts tourists from around the world. Mayor Kang Gijung commented, "The licensing process was shortened by eight months thanks to swift and transparent administration," and added, "The Hyundai Gwangju will be a cultural space for citizens and a core element of the 'Gwangju You Don't Leave' strategy."

Taking the groundbreaking briefing as an opportunity, Gwangju City announced plans to establish a 'New Vitality Administration Council' to ensure fair and efficient administrative procedures going forward. The city reduced the usual 19-month licensing process to 11 months.