A district unit plan that lays out the blueprint for the redevelopment of Gwangjang-dong Walkerhill Apartment, considered a signature upscale neighborhood in northern Seoul, has been released. The plan includes raising the zoning for Walkerhill Apartment Complex 2 to the same Class 2 general residential area as Complex 1, which has long hindered the redevelopment push. This effectively sets the stage for integrated redevelopment, but fierce disagreement among residents over whether to proceed with an integrated or separate redevelopment makes it unclear whether a quick consensus can be reached. Seoul City and Gwangjin District, which has jurisdiction, accounted for this by presenting both options, saying redevelopment could proceed in an integrated or separate manner according to residents' wishes.
According to the redevelopment industry on the 25th, the Gwangjin District Office on the 23rd announced a draft for public viewing to designate a district unit planning zone and decide on the plan for the Walkerhill Apartment area. The viewing period runs through May 7. A district unit plan is a development guideline that includes permissible zoning, floor area ratio, infrastructure scale, and building layout. Under the draft, the Walkerhill Apartment area will be designated a special planning zone. A special planning zone applies within a district unit planning zone to areas targeted for large-scale mixed-use development or areas that require a long time to plan.
Walkerhill Apartment is a high-end complex on the slopes of Achasan, looking south over the Han River. It was completed in 1978 ahead of Korea's first world championship, the shooting world championships, and was used as an athletes' village for foreign competitors before being sold to the general public. The sale price at the time was reportedly twice that of Apgujeong Hyundai Apartment, a symbol of affluent neighborhoods in Korea.
Of the 14 buildings at Walkerhill Apartment, the 11 buildings known as Complex 1 (Gwangjang-dong 145-8) are in a Class 2 general residential area, while the three buildings 51, 52, and 53 in Complex 2 (Gwangjang-dong 362) are in a natural green area with a maximum floor area ratio of only 100%. As a result, the two complexes pursued separate remodeling and redevelopment from the early 2000s, but the projects repeatedly fell through. In 2022, a plan for separate redevelopment of only Complex 1 even went to public inspection, but the city of Seoul put it on hold, halting discussions. The city has reportedly said integrated redevelopment should be encouraged because Complexes 1 and 2 were completed as a single complex and share not only the management office and roads but also heating, electricity, and water.
If the zoning for Complex 2 is upgraded, momentum is likely to shift toward integrated redevelopment. However, the residents who have received approval from Gwangjin District to establish a redevelopment promotion committee are those advocating separate redevelopment for Complex 1, while residents supporting integrated redevelopment have formed a preparatory committee and are acting separately. In the process, last Sept. the separate redevelopment committee for Complex 1 filed for an injunction, including to prohibit obstruction of business, against the integrated preparatory committee.
With tensions rising among residents, Seoul City and Gwangjin District are taking a cautious stance. A Gwangjin District Office official said, "The issue of separate versus integrated redevelopment at Walkerhill Apartment has existed for a very long time," and added, "Rather than steering any particular approach, we presented both options in consultation with the city of Seoul to avoid placing an excessive burden on residents." The official continued, "From the public inspection stage, we have been preparing consultations with the relevant departments at the city of Seoul for the designation of the district unit plan."