Metropolitan City Pre-sale Market: Rising End-user Demand Drives Interest in Original Downtown Complex 'Dongnae Prugio Eduforet'

- Number of Original Downtown Complexes in Metropolitan Top 20 Subscription Rates Surges from 7 Last Year to 17 This Year
- Clear Shift Toward 'Safety-Oriented' End-User Demand... Original Downtown Areas with Established Infrastructure in the Spotlight

A concentration of demand in the original downtown areas is being observed in the metropolitan city pre-sale housing market. Instead of new towns and residential development districts, which previously led the market thanks to development prospects, more buyers are now choosing the 'original downtown' areas, which already offer established infrastructure such as transportation and school districts. This trend is interpreted as a result of heightened market uncertainty, leading to a 'practical choice' that prioritizes completed residential convenience and asset stability over future value.

In fact, an analysis of data from Korea Real Estate Board's subscription platform shows a pronounced preference for original downtown areas in this year's pre-sale markets across the six major metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Ulsan, Gwangju, and Daejeon). Among the top 20 complexes with the highest first-priority competition rates, 17 (85%) were found to be located within original downtown areas. Busan, in particular, stands out, with all eight of its top 20 pre-sale complexes, such as 'Summit Limited Namcheon' (22.62 to 1) and 'Hillstate Sajik Asiad' (17.57 to 1), situated in the original downtown area.

This is a complete reversal from last year's trend. Last year, 13 out of the top 20 pre-sale complexes in metropolitan cities were located in new towns and residential development districts, with only seven in original downtown areas. Over the course of a year, the proportion of new town and residential development district pre-sale complexes plummeted from 65% to 15%, while the share of original downtown pre-sale complexes, including redevelopment and reconstruction projects, surged from 35% to 85%.

The main reason for this dramatic shift in the metropolitan city subscription market from newly developed outskirts to downtown centers within just one year is cited as a 'flight to safety' mentality. Original downtown areas, where residents can immediately access subways, schools, and department stores upon moving in, are increasingly being seen as 'safe assets' that better retain their value even in declining markets.

This strength of original downtown apartments is also evident in the sales market. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's actual transaction data, a 160-square-meter unit in 'Daeyeon Prugio' in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, changed hands last month for a record 1.13 billion won. This is a 130 million won increase from a transaction for the same unit on the same floor in February last year, which was sold for 1 billion won.

Similarly, in Daegu, a new record price was set for an 84-square-meter unit in 'Beomeo Seohan Forest' in Beomeo-dong, Suseong-gu. The unit was sold last month for 1 billion won, up 57 million won from the previous record of 943 million won in May, just six months earlier. In Ulsan, a 75-square-meter unit in 'Munsuro Daegongwon Aileen Park' in Sinjeong-dong, Nam-gu, also set a new record last month, selling for 1 billion won.

A real estate expert commented, "As the leadership of the real estate market shifts from investors to end-users, subscription accounts are increasingly being directed toward original downtown areas with proven locations that offer convenient infrastructure from the moment of occupancy. Since there are no clear factors to resolve market uncertainty in the short term, the strengths of original downtown pre-sale complexes with stability will become even more prominent for some time."

This explains the growing interest in new pre-sale complexes being launched in the original downtown areas of metropolitan cities.

Daewoo Engineering & Construction is officially commencing the subscription schedule for 'Dongnae Prugio Eduforet,' which is being developed in the Anrak-dong area of Dongnae-gu, Busan.

This complex, located at 1230 Anrak-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan, is being supplied as part of the Anrak 1 District Housing Reconstruction and Maintenance Project. It will consist of 12 buildings, with three basement levels and up to 38 floors above ground, for a total of 1,481 units. Of these, 474 units with exclusive areas of 74 to 84 square meters will be available for general sale, excluding those allocated to association members. These are composed of 20 units of 74㎡A, 15 units of 76㎡A, and 439 units of 84㎡A, all of which are highly preferred by buyers.

The subscription schedule will begin with special supply applications on Monday, December 29, followed by first-priority applications on Tuesday, December 30, and second-priority applications on Wednesday, December 31. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 7, next year, and contract signings will take place over three days from Monday, January 19 to Wednesday, January 21. Anyone aged 19 or older residing in Busan, Ulsan, or Gyeongnam is eligible to apply for first-priority subscription, regardless of household head status or home ownership, as long as the subscription account period and deposit requirements are met. In particular, the absence of restrictions on repeat winners is drawing significant attention from buyers.

'Dongnae Prugio Eduforet' boasts the abundant lifestyle infrastructure of the original downtown area. Large supermarkets such as Emart Traders, Homeplus, and Costco are nearby, making shopping convenient, and high-quality medical facilities including Dongnaebongsaeng Hospital and Daedong Hospital are also close at hand. In terms of transportation, access to both the city and surrounding areas is easy via the Wondong Interchange and Donghae Line, and residents can enjoy a pleasant natural environment with nearby walking trails along Oncheoncheon and Suyeong River, as well as Okbong Mountain. Some units are expected to offer premium views of the Suyeong River.

Additionally, the location is notable for its 'double living zone,' allowing residents to enjoy both the educational and cultural infrastructure of Sajik-dong and the shopping and convenience facilities of Centum City. To the west are Sajik's educational district and baseball stadium, while to the east are major commercial and cultural facilities in Centum City, such as department stores and the Busan Cinema Center, making the area particularly attractive to end-users who frequently travel by car.

The educational environment is also excellent. Prestigious schools such as Hyehwa Elementary School, Chungnyeol Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, and Hyehwa Girls' Middle and High Schools are clustered nearby, providing a 'one-stop school zone' where students can walk to school from kindergarten through high school.

The model home for Dongnae Prugio Eduforet is located in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan.