Floating hotels and offices to revamp Han River, Seoul mayor says

Home > National > Social Affairs

Floating hotels and offices to revamp Han River, Seoul mayor says

Published: 24 Apr. 2024, 18:35 Updated: 24 Apr. 2024, 19:28

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

A rendered image of a floating "food zone" on the Han River provided by the Seoul city government on Wednesday [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoulites might work from an office on the Han River in the coming years as the city plans a major facelift for the river. Visitors will see exhibitions in floating areas and possibly even sleep in a hotel built on the river.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Wednesday unveiled his grand plan to revitalize the Han River area, a year after he introduced the Great Han River initiative last March.

"The project focuses on revamping the river space to extend beyond the waterfront," Oh said during a press briefing at City Hall on Wednesday, stressing his goal of making the Han River a daily destination for residents.

The project aims to attract 10 million visitors to the Han River by 2030, a significant increase from the current annual usage of around 900,000 people.

Among the planned developments is the construction of a four-story office building directly on the river, inspired by the Floating Office Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Potential sites for this structure include Ichon-dong in central Seoul and Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul, with construction expected to commence as early as 2026.

Additionally, a four-story floating hotel with 200 rooms will be built near the Mulbit Stage at Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo District. Construction of this 10,000-square-meter hotel is expected to begin in 2026, following the selection of a private investor.

A rendered image of a marina facility on the Han River provided by the Seoul city government on Wednesday [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

An area designated as a "water food zone" will feature 15 to 20 international food stands and busking performances. The location for this facility will be designated this year, with construction set to commence in 2026.

Cafe Nodeul, located downstream of the Hangang Bridge, will be transformed into a hotel in the second half of the year. Four other riverside cafes that are currently closed, such as Cafe Rio upstream of the Hangang Bridge, will be opened and operated by local Seoul brands.

The Han River makeover also comes as the city is set to begin operating river buses in October.

Construction of Han River buses begins for October introduction

Additionally, more water sports, such as cable skiing, will become available to the public. Windsurfing at Ttukseom Hangang Park in eastern Seoul, which is currently only offered to registered members, will become accessible to the public as well.

A 60,000-square-meter (15-acre) marina will be built in Jamsil, western Seoul, capable of accommodating more than 150 boats. The city aims to have a total of 1,000 berths, or allotted spots for boats to park, along the Han River. Currently, there are around 130 berths near the river. An art pier featuring a floating pool and an observatory will be constructed near Ichon Hangang Park. The marina and art pier will both open in 2026.

A rendered image provided by the Seoul city government on Wednesday shows a port in Yeouido set to open in 2026. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

By October, a pier for large cruise ships will open near Mapo Bridge. In 2026, Seoul Port, a passenger terminal for ships traveling to major coastal cities from the capital, is set to open at Yeouido.

The city plans to spend a total of 550.1 billion won ($401 million), which includes 236.6 billion won from private investors. It anticipates the project to generate around 6,800 jobs and an annual economic effect of 925.6 billion won.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]