Mixed-Use Housing and Hotels Approved in Administrative Cities and Special Zones

Starting now, mixed-use buildings combining housing and hotels will be permitted for ultra-high-rise structures in economic free zones, redevelopment promotion districts, administrative cities, and similar areas.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 4th that it has revised and promulgated the 'Regulations on Housing Construction Standards' to allow mixed-use construction of housing, hotels, and other facilities for ultra-high-rise buildings in areas where planned management is possible.

Areas where mixed-use construction is permitted include economic free zones, redevelopment promotion districts, administrative cities, tourism special zones, and special architectural zones, limited to buildings with 300 or more units and structures that are 50 stories or higher or 150 meters or taller.

In addition to hotels, entertainment facilities such as casual bars, entertainment bars, and casinos, as well as performance venues including cinemas, concert halls, and video screening rooms, may also be constructed. However, entertainment facilities are only permitted when the project approval authority recognizes that the structure is separated from housing and does not interfere with residential environment protection.

While mixed-use construction of housing and non-housing facilities in the same building normally requires separate entrances, stairs, and elevators, ultra-high-rise buildings combining accommodation facilities and performance venues will be granted an exception to structural separation requirements.

This provision was reported during the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's presidential briefing on March 24th. The 'Incheon Tower' in the Incheon (Songdo) Economic Free Zone, a 151-story (600-meter) structure, is expected to be the first case where housing and accommodation facilities (hotels) are constructed together. The ministry anticipates that this revision will stimulate active mixed-use ultra-high-rise construction, significantly contributing to investment attraction and economic vitalization.