Former red-light districts, once among the most avoided areas in central Seoul, are being transformed into mixed-use residential complexes and officetels. The redevelopment push continues as prime locations face mounting development pressure. Analysts attribute this trend to high development demand in central Seoul, alongside other urban changes such as the relocation of vehicle depots and demolition of ready-mix concrete and cement plants.
According to Seongbuk District Office on January 15, demolition work began last month in the Hawolgok-dong area known as "Miari Texas" to make way for the Sinwolgok 1 District redevelopment project. The project is expected to break ground as early as the second half of next year, with plans for a mixed-use complex of up to 46 stories containing 2,201 residential units and 170 officetel units. Lotte Engineering & Construction will handle construction, with a planned four-year timeline.
The residential facilities to be built through the Sinwolgok 1 District redevelopment will be connected via underground shopping arcade to Gireum Station on Seoul Metro Line 4 to the west. Mia Intersection Station on the Dongbuk Light Rail Line, scheduled to open at the end of 2027, is also nearby to the northeast, making the location favorable for public transportation access. The redevelopment is expected to improve residential environments and revitalize commercial districts throughout the area.
The Yeongdeungpo-dong 4-ga area adjacent to Yeongdeungpo Station was designated as the Yeongdeungpo Downtown Station Area Urban Renewal Redevelopment Zone following Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Planning Committee review in April 2021, with plans for a commercial, office and residential complex. Following the establishment of the redevelopment association in July 2023, modifications to the development plan are underway ahead of project implementation approval.
The site of the former "Cheongnyangni 588" in Dongdaemun District was transformed into Cheongnyangni Station Lotte Castle SKY-L65, a mixed-use complex of up to 65 stories with 1,425 units, completed in July 2023. The area around Cheonho Station on Seoul Metro Lines 5 and 8 in Gangdong District, formerly known as "Cheonho-dong Texas," was redeveloped into Gangdong Millennial Jungheung S-Class, a mixed-use complex of up to 40 stories with 999 units, with residents moving in September 2024. The area around Yongsan Station was transformed in 2017 into the officetels Yongsan Prugio Summit and Raemian Yongsan The Central through the Yongsan Front Zone 2 and 3 redevelopment projects.
These areas share a common advantage: station-area locations in the city center with convenient public transportation access. While the residential facilities built in these locations lack educational infrastructure such as schools and academies and green spaces like parks compared to traditional residential areas, demand is supported primarily by office workers who prefer convenient public transportation access.
Experts note that rising housing prices in Seoul are driving the demolition and relocation of undesirable facilities and subsequent development of remaining sites, as development promises greater returns. "When residential environments improve through redevelopment projects, not only the target sites but also surrounding residential facilities including other apartment complexes can see property values rise in tandem," explained Seo Jin-hyung, professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University.
