'Mokdong 13 Complex 2.3 Trillion Won Reconstruction Project Put on Hold at Integrated Review'

15th Integrated Review Committee for Urban Renewal Projects in Seoul

"Building and Cityscape Arrangement Design Found Inadequate"

The reconstruction and maintenance project for the Mokdong 13 Complex Apartments in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, with a total construction cost exceeding 2.3 trillion won, has been put on hold after failing to pass the integrated review by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Among the 14 new Mokdong apartment complexes, this is the first time a complex has failed to clear the integrated review. Unlike the Mokdong 6 Complex, which was the first to pass the review, the building layout of the 13 Complex was found to be inconsistent with neighboring complexes, which seems to be the main factor that held it back. This decision is expected to influence the designs of other complexes awaiting review.

Bird's-eye view of the Mokdong 13 Complex Apartment Reconstruction and Maintenance Project in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Yangcheon District Office

On July 31, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the result of the 15th Integrated Review Committee for Urban Renewal Projects, stating that the review of the Mokdong 13 Complex Apartments reconstruction project has been put on hold. At the committee meeting held the previous day, seven areas were reviewed for the project: architecture, cityscape, transportation, education, environment, parks, and disaster preparedness.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related sources, the most decisive reason for putting the review on hold was the design and arrangement of the buildings and their alignment with the cityscape. It was deemed that the guidelines established by the city for the Mokdong district unit plan and other planning frameworks were not fully implemented. An official from the city explained, "Given the guidelines set out in the district unit plan and Mokdong residential area maintenance plan, there were many mismatches in the layout proposed for the Mokdong 13 Complex integrated review," adding, "Many participants felt that applying a different building arrangement for just the 13 Complex alone would not be appropriate."

This decision is in stark contrast to Mokdong 6 Complex, which received conditional approval during the Seoul integrated review in May. The 6 Complex earned praise for successfully reflecting Seoul’s urban planning guidelines, such as forming a skyline along the National Assembly Boulevard and securing public pedestrian pathways that connect Anyangcheon and nearby schools to ensure coherent harmony. At the time, the city requested further improvements for the 6 Complex, including main building arrangement and a more harmonious skyline plan, to enhance consistency with the overall cityscape.

The city emphasized that, regarding the deferral of the Mokdong 13 Complex, the evaluation cannot be based on any single complex alone, as all 14 complexes are undertaking their projects simultaneously. A city official stated, "Several issues were identified where the original intention of the maintenance plan was not upheld."

The Mokdong 13 Complex reconstruction project is being carried out on a 178,919-square-meter site at 327 Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu. The plan calls for the construction of 3,852 units across buildings that will be four stories underground and up to 49 stories above ground. The construction cost, as estimated by the project operator Daishin Asset Trust, is 2.3762 trillion won, or 9.8 million won per 3.3 square meters (per pyeong).

At the project briefing held last month, five major builders, including Samsung C&T and DL E&C, gathered, demonstrating the high level of interest among contractors. In the maintenance industry, Samsung C&T is considered the most likely candidate for main contractor. For Mokdong 13 Complex, joint (consortium-based) bidding is not allowed; instead, the main contractor will be selected through general competitive bidding and detailed bidding. The required bid deposit totals 90 billion won (60 billion won in cash and 30 billion won in performance bond insurance). The bid submission deadline is September 7. The first joint briefing session is scheduled for October 10, followed by the second on October 17.

The 13 Complex Regeneration Project Committee commented, "From the committee's perspective, greater importance was placed on residents’ convenience, while the city wanted to further emphasize public interest, which seems to have led to the deferral. The result is disappointing, but we will promptly address the issues so that the project can pass the integrated review within six months of submission."

The city also stated, "Once we receive remedial plans, we will do our utmost to bring the project back to the integrated review as quickly as possible."

This result is expected to serve as an important message for other complexes that have submitted their plans for integrated review. According to the maintenance industry, Mokdong complexes 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14 have also applied for integrated review.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.