Seoul's Apgujeong Galleria department store will be reborn as a Gangnam landmark shaped like a "glass hourglass." Two curved glass facade buildings designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick will transform the urban landscape around Apgujeong Rodeo Station.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that the 7th Architecture Committee meeting held Wednesday approved three agenda items, including the construction of the Apgujeong Galleria East and West Wings and the Dosan-daero A station-area revitalization project near Cheongdam-dong 52-3.
The centerpiece of the review is the redevelopment of the Apgujeong Galleria, whose West Wing and East Wing were completed in 1979 and 1985, respectively. Led by Hanwha Galleria, the redevelopment project will replace the existing department store buildings with mirror-image glass facade structures facing each other. Each building, with nine basement levels and eight above-ground floors, will feature curved exteriors evoking an hourglass, presenting different appearances throughout the day depending on light and reflection. The project also breaks from the closed exterior typical of department stores by introducing an open structure in which interior activities and the urban landscape reflect each other.
Public spaces open to citizens will also be expanded. Underground plazas, indoor open spaces, mid-level gardens, and rooftop gardens will be connected three-dimensionally to create a multi-layered open space accessible to all citizens, not just shoppers. The underground plaza will be used as a cultural, leisure, and event space. Eco-friendly elements are also incorporated. The design applies solar power, water source heat, fuel cells, and a double-skin facade system to achieve zero-energy building performance and help mitigate the urban heat island effect. Pending remaining permit procedures, construction is expected to begin next year.
A 38-story complex tower will rise on the former Prima Hotel site along Dosan-daero in Cheongdam-dong, which also received architectural approval Wednesday. The Dosan-daero A station-area revitalization project will create a mixed-use building with eight basement levels and 38 above-ground floors, reaching a height of 194.96 meters, comprising 75 hotel rooms, 29 residential units, 20 officetel units, cultural and assembly facilities, and neighborhood amenities.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to enhance tourist convenience and operational efficiency through the relocation of hotel support facilities and improved service circulation. In particular, the city aims to strengthen the competitiveness of stay-type tourism infrastructure in the Cheongdam area by consolidating tourism, residential, and commercial functions into a single building. "The projects in the Apgujeong and Cheongdam areas represent a transformation of urban space that combines design innovation with public benefit," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said. "We will continue to strengthen Seoul's global urban competitiveness."
