Hyundai Motor Group will establish a large-scale open green space in the form of an urban forest within the ‘Global Business Complex (GBC)’ to be developed in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. GBC is expected to be developed not just as a simple landmark but as a complex cultural space where the future mobility industry and citizen-friendly spaces harmonize.
According to the GBC development plan submitted to the Seoul city government, the complex will comprise three 54-story towers, each 242 meters high, and two lower levels housing exhibition and performance halls. At the center of the complex, an open green space equivalent to the size of two football fields (14,000㎡) will be created. Connected to the Gangnam Comprehensive Transfer Center (GITC), this space will provide a citizen-sharing area equivalent to twice the size of Seoul Plaza and will become the focal point of a pedestrian network stretching from COEX-Tancheon-Jamsil MICE to the Han River.
Notably, the green space development has been prioritized from the design stage, rather than being merely an auxiliary space. This new development approach deviates from the traditional height-centric landmark concept and reflects harmony with nature within the city center. The green space will feature a stand of ginkgo trees, allowing citizens to experience rest and inspiration throughout the seasonal changes. It is also expected to offer eco-friendly effects such as reducing carbon emissions, mitigating urban heat islands, and decreasing fine dust.
The GBC is set to be developed as an innovation hub combining future mobility technology and advanced office facilities. The three tower buildings will be utilized as high-tech offices incorporating future mobility technologies such as autonomous driving, robotics, and UAM (Urban Air Mobility), as well as eco-friendly energy solutions. Cutting-edge technologies such as big data, AI, and cloud computing will be introduced to maximize productivity and energy efficiency.
In addition to office facilities, various cultural and commercial facilities such as observation decks, hotels, exhibition halls, and performance halls will be constructed. The exhibition hall will be an interactive space providing experience-based scientific content, while the performance hall will be developed as a complex cultural space equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems. Along with this, Hyundai Motor Group plans to collaborate with global companies and startups to utilize GBC as a testbed for future new businesses.
The GBC design is overseen by renowned architect Norman Foster, who is known for his commitment to environmentally friendly architecture that promotes coexistence between humans and nature. He has designed iconic architectural works such as the Bloomberg European headquarters in England and Apple Park in the United States.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to begin full-scale consultations with the Seoul city government in March, and it is expected that the GBC will contribute to revitalizing the domestic economy amidst the economic downturn once it is fully underway. A Hyundai Motor Group representative stated, “GBC is expected to be established as a representative sustainable landmark of Korea,” adding, “We will work with the Seoul city government to ensure successful implementation.”