"Our Apartment Is a Haven for Fitness: Complexes with Sports Centers and Waterfront Parks Become Blue-Chip Properties"

- The Running Craze Fuels a Surge in Exercisers... "Apartments Ideal for Exercise" Emerge as a Key Criterion for Choosing a Home
- Outstanding Living Environments Drive Strong Presence in Subscription Market... Competition Rates Soar

Recently, so-called "apartments ideal for exercise" have become blue-chip properties in the real estate market. The running craze that began among the MZ generation, including those in their 20s and 30s, has spread across all age groups. As daily life has returned to normal following the COVID-19 endemic and the number of people exercising has increased, interest is rising in residential complexes that offer a healthy lifestyle.

According to the "Community Health Survey" report released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of last year, the rate of adults in Korea engaging in "moderate-intensity or higher physical activity" was 26.6%. This figure represents a sharp increase of nearly 7 percentage points compared to 2021, when the rate hit a record low of 19.7% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that more than one in four adults are consistently engaging in exercise.

As a result, there is growing interest in residential locations with nearby waterfront parks or sports centers as a key criterion for choosing a home. In fact, in the recent subscription market, complexes located near sports facilities?dubbed "Chese-gwon"?have been showing strong presence, recording high competition rates.

For example, "ePyeonhansesang Seongseonghosu Park," which was offered for sale in Cheonan, Chungnam in February this year, attracted significant popularity during its first-round subscription thanks to its location near Seongseonghosu Park, which features a 4.1 km ecological trail. According to Cheongyak Home, this complex recorded an average competition rate of 17.49 to 1 and a maximum of 61.26 to 1 in the first-round subscription, an unusually high rate for a provincial area.

Similarly, "Hillstate Mediale," recently supplied in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, also highlighted the nearby Samjeong Sports Center, resulting in 2,854 applicants for 218 units (excluding special supply) during the subscription in May.

A real estate expert commented, "After the COVID-19 endemic, interest in health has risen among consumers. As running crews have become a trend, especially among younger generations, and the running craze has spread, apartments ideal for exercise are gaining popularity. With excellent living environments and the ability to enjoy an upscale lifestyle, these properties are becoming steady sellers among those looking to purchase a home."

Amidst this trend, interest is growing in "Gwell Elium Yangju Deokgye Station," which offers both a waterfront park and an indoor sports center.

In August, Shinyoung Co., Ltd. plans to launch "Gwell Elium Yangju Deokgye Station" in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, at 152 Deokgye-dong and 10 adjacent lots. This large-scale complex, featuring the "Gwell" brand from Shinyoung and the "Elium" brand from Daebang Industrial Development, will consist of 1,595 apartment units across 10 buildings, with 4 basement levels and 39 above-ground floors. Of these, 1,355 units will be available for general sale. Construction will be handled by Daebang Industrial Development.

"Gwell Elium Yangju Deokgye Station" boasts an environment ideal for exercise. Deokgyecheon, a waterfront park, and Gojangsan Mountain are nearby, allowing residents to enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle within the city. Additionally, a project to build the "Deokgye Industrial District Sports Park" adjacent to the complex is underway. With a site area of approximately 14,000 square meters and a total project cost of 27.3 billion KRW, the development will include park green spaces, outdoor sports facilities/parking lots, and a sports center with a swimming pool. Completion is scheduled for 2029.

The community space, named "Ground G," will feature a fitness center, indoor sauna, guesthouse, single-person study rooms, daycare center, small library, moms' station, care center, and senior center, providing high convenience for daily living. In addition, a large green plaza called "Green Field" will be created at the center of the complex, and a walking trail named "Forest Way" will be established within the complex, reflecting attention to pleasant landscaping.

Another strength is its prime location near public transportation. Deokgye Station on Subway Line 1 is just a five-minute walk away. Residents also have easy access to Hoecheonnam-ro, which connects Yangju Okjeong and Hoecheon, as well as Pyeonghwa-ro, National Route 3, and the Yangju IC on the Second Ring Expressway around the Seoul metropolitan area. This ensures excellent local and regional transportation. As a beneficiary of ongoing transportation network expansion projects in Yangju, the area’s connectivity is expected to improve dramatically in the future.

The location also offers excellent conditions for living close to work. Industrial complexes such as the "Hoecheon Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex" (scheduled for completion at the end of this year), "Gyeonggi Yangju Technovalley" (scheduled for completion at the end of next year), and "Eunnam General Industrial Complex" (scheduled for completion in April 2027), as well as existing complexes in Doha, Guam, Nammyeon, Sangsu, Geomjun, and Hongjuk, can all be reached by car within approximately 30 minutes.

"Gwell Elium Yangju Deokgye Station" also offers a one-stop living environment with a concentration of various infrastructure. In front of the complex near Deokgye Station, a central commercial area is formed with hospitals, clinics, academies, restaurants, and essential daily businesses. Large-scale convenience facilities such as Emart and LF Square are also nearby. Furthermore, the Okjeong Public Medical Center (Gyeonggi Northern Medical Center), which is awaiting a preliminary feasibility study, is expected to be developed as a public general hospital with 300 beds, adding to the appeal.

The education environment and cultural infrastructure are also excellent. Schools such as Hoecheon Saebom Elementary School (scheduled to open in September 2026), Hoecheon 4th Middle School (scheduled to open in March 2027), and Yangju 2nd High School (scheduled to open in March 2027) are within walking distance, ensuring safe commuting for students. The area is also close to the Deokgye Station academy district, making it an attractive choice for families.

The model home is scheduled to open in August in Goyup-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, and move-in is planned for April 2029.