Seoul holds 9th Urban Planning Committee meeting

Zoning upgrade, added incentives boost project viability

Isu-Gwacheon tunnel to break ground in second half of year

A rendering of the redeveloped Hyundai Yeonlib complex in Oryu-dong [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A rendering of the redeveloped Hyundai Yeonlib complex in Oryu-dong [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Hyundai Yeonlib complex in Oryu-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul is set to be rebuilt as a development of up to 25 stories and 520 units. The long-stalled reconstruction project is now gaining momentum, and the move is expected to accelerate housing supply across the southwestern part of the city.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday it approved a revised improvement plan and district unit plan for the Oryu-dong Hyundai Yeonlib reconstruction project at the 9th Urban Planning Committee meeting held Wednesday.

The complex is known as a staff apartment built during the tenure of the late Hyundai Honorary Chairman Chung Ju-yung. The site was designated a maintenance zone in July 2015, received management and disposal plan approval in July 2023, and completed resident relocation in November 2024, but the project had been stalled due to limited financial viability.

Under the revised plan, the city upgraded the zoning from second-class general residential — previously capped at seven stories — to standard second-class general residential, and improved profitability by adding eligible floor area ratio incentive categories and applying a project viability correction coefficient.

Density and building layout were overhauled to reflect the new zoning, with the maximum height raised from 15 to 25 stories. The number of residential buildings was reduced from 11 to eight, widening the spacing between them and creating a greater sense of openness within the complex.

The public pedestrian pathway already incorporated in the existing improvement plan was adjusted in alignment and width, with stairs and elevators added to improve access to nearby community facilities. Communal and open community spaces were placed along the pathway to create a natural connection between the complex and the surrounding neighborhood.

A small park will be built on the northern side to enhance public accessibility and connect to the pedestrian pathway. Along Oryu-ro on the western side, street-level retail will be introduced alongside an open pedestrian frontage to help revitalize the surrounding commercial district.

"This plan will kick off the full-scale reconstruction of the Hyundai Yeonlib complex and significantly improve the aging residential environment in the Oryu-dong area," said Choi Jin-seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Housing Bureau. "Together with the transit-oriented development around Cheonwang Station, we will accelerate housing supply across Guro-gu."

Meanwhile, the committee also approved as submitted a revised urban planning facility decision covering the relocation of a vertical fire safety station and a partial route change for the Isu-Gwacheon combined tunnel.

Under the decision, the vertical fire safety station originally planned for San 102-8 in Bangbae-dong will be relocated to San 100-3 in Bangbae-dong, and a section of the main tunnel line near Sadang Station will be rerouted to run beneath Gwacheon-daero. The vertical fire safety station supports evacuation and smoke control inside the tunnel in the event of a fire.

The Isu-Gwacheon combined tunnel is set to break ground in the second half of this year, with an opening targeted for the first half of 2032.


lucky@heraldcorp.com