A complex cultural facility combining a city library and public housing will be built on the former site of the Geumcheon Police Station in Gwanak District, Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 10th that the facility could be completed as early as 2029.
Scheduled to break ground next month, the building will have three basement levels and 20 above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 38,866 square meters.
From basement level one to the third floor, the lower floors will house Seoul Metropolitan Library (Gwanak) and neighborhood living facilities, while the upper floors will supply 276 units of public housing, including Mirinae House, a long-term jeonse housing tailored for young adults and newlyweds.
Excluding land costs, about 180.3 billion won will be invested in this project, including 31.4 billion won for the library and 148.9 billion won for public housing and other facilities.
Seoul Metropolitan Library (Gwanak) is part of the city's project to establish city libraries by region. Following City Library Seodaemun, set to open next year, it will be the second regional city library.
In addition to Gwanak and Seodaemun, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to add regional city libraries in Dongdaemun (2031), Gangseo (2031), Songpa (2032), and Dobong (2033), establishing a six-library system by 2033.
The Gwanak city library will be built with a total floor area of 5,742 square meters. The first floor will feature an exhibition-style reading space with open stacks and reading rooms for children and toddlers. In particular, the exhibition-style reading space will be organized to reflect generational interests, including employment and economy for college students, self-improvement, marriage, and childcare for young adults, and health and retirement for middle-aged and older adults.
The second floor will house a general reading room, an economics reference room, and a digital reading room, while the third floor will include a focused study room, multipurpose spaces, and seminar rooms.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to design the library's exterior with the concept of "gateway to knowledge" so it serves as a landmark representing the area.