Seoul announced that during the 4th Urban-Architecture Joint Committee Subcommittee held on September 10, 2025, the amendment to the district unit plan for Apgujeong Apartment Area related to the construction project of Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu was approved with modifications, including the detailed development plan for the special planning zone.
The designated area is around Apgujeong Rodeo Station, and Seoul plans to develop it into a strategic tourist hub with creative and innovative design, enhancing its commercial and cultural center functions.
This project was selected in the second Urban Architectural Design Innovation Project announced in December 2023. The design is led by the world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick, and it is expected to become a new landmark in Gangnam.
In addition to department store retail facilities, shared spaces will be created, including an underground plaza, open spaces in the lower levels, a mid-level garden, and a rooftop garden. The underground plaza will supplement the area’s lack of public open spaces and be used as a resting and convenience facility for citizens, as well as a location for exhibitions and events.
The indoor open space will span three floors, providing a comfortable green space year-round. The mid-level and rooftop gardens will be opened to provide views of the city and the Han River from various levels.
Moreover, the site of Cheongdam High School, scheduled for relocation before 2026, will be utilized as a cultural complex facility, including a design center, as a public contribution.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government requested the relaxation of the building coverage ratio up to 60% and the floor area ratio up to 1.2 times the implementation rate, following the intent of the ‘Urban Architectural Design Innovation Project,’ and the specific range of relaxation is to be determined in the Building Committee’s review.
Im Chang-soo, Seoul’s Future Space Planning Officer, stated, “With this decision, innovative architectural design will lead Seoul to become a more prestigious city, and the creation of a new landmark and opening up of shared spaces for citizens will inject vitality into the region.”