Time Is Money: Housing Subscription Success Hinges on Proximity to Workplaces

- The Work-Life Balance Trend Continues: Apartments with Excellent Access to Major Business Districts Gain Popularity
- Accessibility Varies Even Within Seoul: Station-Area Complexes with Convenient Commutes to Work Stand Out

The landscape of Seoul’s housing pre-sale market is being shaped by proximity to workplaces. As the work-life balance trend continues to spread, residential complexes with excellent accessibility to major business districts are increasingly being chosen by homebuyers.

According to the 2025 Real Estate Trend report released by R2 Korea, a real estate investment advisory firm, and Gallup Korea Research Institute, location was found to be the most important factor when choosing a home in the future. Among location factors, transportation convenience was cited as the most critical. In particular, the importance of location was even higher in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province compared to other regions.

Success or failure in housing subscription was also determined by accessibility to business districts. An analysis of the Korea Real Estate Board’s subscription data showed that, among the complexes pre-sold in Seoul from January to July 2025, three recorded the highest subscription competition rates: Autier Foret at 688.13 to 1, Riverscent Prugio Weave at 191.35 to 1, and Raemian One Pearl at 151.62 to 1.

What these complexes have in common is their excellent accessibility to Seoul’s major business districts: the CBD (Central Business District), GBD (Gangnam Business District), and YBD (Yeouido Business District). For example, Autier Foret offers access to Gangnam Station in about 20 minutes, Riverscent Prugio Weave is about 10 minutes from Yeouido, and Raemian One Pearl is about 20 minutes from the Gangnam Business District (according to Kakao Map).

In this context, attention is focused on the upcoming supply of "Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro," which boasts excellent accessibility to major business districts in Seoul such as downtown Seoul, Yeouido, DMC, and Magok.

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction plans to launch the pre-sale of "Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro" in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul this August. This complex, supplied through the reconstruction and maintenance project of Girin Dongsan Villa in Donggyo-dong, will consist of 123 apartment units ranging from 32 to 82 square meters of exclusive area, in a building with two basement levels and 18 above-ground floors. Of these, 52 units will be available for general sale.

Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro’s greatest strength is its outstanding transportation environment. Located just a four-minute walk from Hongdaeipgu Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, the complex enjoys a triple-station area. This allows for access to City Hall Station in about 10 minutes, Gwanghwamun Station in about 16 minutes, Yeouido Station in about 15 minutes, DMC Station in 12 minutes, and Magok Station in under 30 minutes, making commuting to major business districts in Seoul convenient.

Additionally, the Daejang-Hongdae Line, scheduled to open in 2030 and connecting Bucheon Daejang New Town to Hongdaeipgu, will pass through Hongdaeipgu Station. The Seoul Western Line, also scheduled for 2030, will pass through Sinchon Station, which is just one stop from Hongdaeipgu Station. As a result, the transportation network is expected to become even more convenient. Major roads such as Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Yanghwa-ro, Sinchon-ro, World Cup Buk-ro, and Donggyo-ro are also well-developed, facilitating easy movement to all areas of Seoul and nearby regions.

The complex is also enhanced by a wealth of lifestyle infrastructure concentrated nearby. Right in front of the complex are Lotte Cinema and CGV, and within a 2-kilometer radius are AK Plaza Hongdae, Hyundai Department Store (Sinchon branch), Emart (Sinchon branch), and Hanaro Mart (Sinchon branch), providing convenient access to amenities. In addition, the renowned Yonsei University Severance Hospital is adjacent to the complex, offering excellent medical infrastructure. The Gyeongui Line Forest Park is also located nearby, ensuring a pleasant residential environment.

A sales representative stated, "Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro is a complex with excellent accessibility to major business districts in Seoul, thanks to its triple-station area location. As complexes with outstanding proximity to workplaces in Seoul have recently achieved strong results in housing subscriptions, we expect high demand for the subscription of Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro as well."

Meanwhile, "Hongdaeipgu Station Central Arte Haemoro" will not operate a separate model home but will instead be presented through a cyber model house.