The project for creating a multifaceted cultural facility on the site of the old community center in Jangandong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, has passed Seoul City’s investment review and is now proceeding in earnest. The district aims to rapidly carry out subsequent procedures such as design competitions, detailed design, and construction, targeting completion by 2029.
This initiative was pursued as a solution to fill the gap in local cultural and communication spaces following the dismantling of the Dongdaemun-gu Community Center, which was constructed in 1989 and became obsolete by 2023. The district’s goal extends beyond simply constructing a new building; it seeks to create a cultural facility that residents will frequently use in their daily lives.
The facility’s composition was determined by actively reflecting residents’ opinions. Through two surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023, the district identified the demand for lifestyle-oriented facilities such as a book cafe, children’s space, exhibition hall, and experience space. In 2024, the district discussed a complex development plan that connects a tentatively named “Residents Happiness Center” with nearby sports facilities while also addressing access and parking inconveniences in the living area.
According to the plan, the project site around 356 Jangandong will feature a cultural facility with two basement levels and seven above-ground stories, covering a total floor area of approximately 11,730 square meters. The facility will focus on popular amenities like performance halls, exhibition halls, cultural centers, and kids cafes. Moreover, it will be linked to the nearby Jungnangcheon riverside area to develop a complex hub integrating indoor culture with outdoor activities.
The district plans to hold an international design competition in May 2026 and announce the winning design in September of the same year, with plans to commence detailed design and construction afterward. From the design stage, the district intends to scrutinize the usage flow and operational method to create an open cultural facility that anyone can naturally use in daily life, avoiding restricted spaces that only operate at specific times.
A Dongdaemun-gu official stated, “Our goal is to create a cultural space utilized in everyday life based on the opinions directly participated by the residents,” and added, “From the initial operation stage, we will thoroughly review accessibility and convenience to develop a central hub for everyday culture truly reflecting the community’s needs.”
Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Lee Pil-hyung remarked, “By passing the Seoul City’s investment review, we are committed to completing a cultural and communication infrastructure that residents can truly feel and experience,” further emphasizing the commitment to incorporate residents’ views throughout the process, transforming Dongdaemun-gu into a representative daily cultural hub.