[비즈한국] Samsung C&T has secured the construction rights for the Apgujeong District 4 reconstruction project in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. After participating alone in two bidding rounds, it successfully passed the association's general meeting threshold through a private contract process. Samsung C&T plans to build a premium residential complex along the Han River in Apgujeong, highlighting its unique complex name, 'Cullinan Apgujeong,' as well as Han River views for all member households and expanded usable space.
According to the maintenance industry, the Apgujeong District 4 Reconstruction Association held a general meeting for contractor selection at the Apgujeong High School gymnasium on the 23rd and selected Samsung C&T as the contractor for the project. Of the 1,337 total members, 716 attended the meeting. Samsung C&T received approval from 626 members, which is 87.4% of those in attendance. Samsung C&T had previously participated alone in the contractor selection bids and re-bids, leading to the private contract process.
Samsung C&T's vision is to transform Apgujeong District 4 into a world-class landmark. Foster + Partners, led by British architect Norman Foster, and landscape design firm PWP, led by Peter Walker, will participate in the complex's design. Norman Foster is known for the Great Court at the British Museum, while Peter Walker is known for designing the landscape of the 9/11 Memorial Park in the U.S. Samsung C&T plans to differentiate its architecture and landscaping through collaboration with these experts.
The company also promised Han River views for all member households. Based on view analysis by Foster + Partners, Samsung C&T stated that it would plan the placement of main buildings and apply 'high pilotis' of up to 15 meters in height to ensure Han River views are possible even from lower floors. It also proposed introducing 'Round Corner IMAX Windows'—wide-frame windows that eliminate living room pillars and minimize frames—to provide an average of 270-degree panoramic views per household with an area of 20.5 square meters.
Usable area will also be expanded. Samsung C&T announced it would provide an additional average of 21.83 pyeong of service area, including a 73.31% exclusive usage rate and terrace space of 4.15 pyeong per household. While the original association design plan only reflected terraces for seven households, Samsung C&T proposed expanding this to all member households. The intention is to increase the housing product's value by expanding the space that can be practically utilized, even within the same exclusive area.
The name proposed for the Apgujeong District 4 complex is 'Cullinan Apgujeong.' This is the first time Samsung C&T has not used the 'Raemian' brand for an apartment complex where it is the sole contractor. Since launching the Raemian brand in 2000, Samsung C&T has prioritized Raemian in its housing business, but this branding formula has been broken for the first time at Apgujeong District 4. This is interpreted as a reflection of Apgujeong's symbolic status and the members' demand for a unique complex name.
The Apgujeong District 4 reconstruction project is a redevelopment project that involves tearing down Apgujeong Hyundai 8th complex and Hanyang 3rd, 4th, and 6th complexes to build a residential area with up to 67 stories and 1,664 households. The construction cost proposed by the association is 2.1154 trillion won. Previously, Samsung C&T had bid alone for this project in March, but the bid was aborted. As the re-bid was also aborted, the association became eligible to proceed with a private contract with Samsung C&T.