Seoul Arena Excavation Completed and Construction Progress

Seoul Arena has completed its ground excavation, with pillar installation and parking structure construction now underway. The venue will feature a large music hall, a mid-size concert venue, and commercial spaces with advanced design elements. Public reactions are enthusiastic, highlighting the project’s progress and the venue’s accessibility.

Seoul Arena Construction Progress

Recently, a post on the Korean community theqoo shared images of Seoul Arena’s construction site. The photos show that Seoul Arena has finished its ground excavation, and construction has progressed to the pillar installation stage. The parking structure in the back is already being built. It is being constructed on a 50,000 square meter site near Chang-dong Station in Dobong-gu. This complex will include a 18,269-seat music hall, a 7,000-seat mid-size concert venue, a cinema, and commercial facilities. The venue will feature cutting-edge sound systems and a flexible stage design optimized for performances.

Cutting-edge Features of Seoul Arena

A Seoul City official explained that Seoul Arena is designed to allow large-scale concert sets to be easily brought in. Specialized equipment will enable rapid stage setup and removal, reducing both time and cost. It will also feature seating arrangements that optimize visibility for audiences, making it ideal for various performances.

Accessibility to Seoul Arena

Seoul Arena offers excellent accessibility, being close to both Chang-dong Station on subway lines 1 and 4 and Nowon Station on lines 4 and 7. The ongoing underground construction of the Dongbu arterial road will further improve accessibility across Seoul. The GTX-C line will also enhance travel from other regions. Seoul expects it to attract around 2.5 million visitors annually.

Financial Backing and Public Expectations

Seoul Arena faced delays due to its high cost, which exceeded 300 billion won. Originally, Seoul City announced plans in 2015 for the venue to accommodate up to 28,000 visitors daily. However, due to the exorbitant cost, the project did not proceed as initially planned. The concept became more concrete after Kakao invested under a Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) scheme. In April 2022, Kakao became a major investor in it, signing a cooperation agreement with Seoul City.

Public Reactions to Seoul Arena’s Progress

After seeing photos and updates about Seoul Arena on theqoo, members expressed high expectations. Some theqoo members living near the construction site check the progress daily. They were excited to see how close it is to their homes and enjoyed monitoring its development. It is designed for easy access by public transportation, allowing people from all over Seoul to visit. Those coming from other regions can reach it within 30 minutes by subway from Seoul Station. However, the limited parking availability poses a challenge for those driving to the venue.

Anticipation for the Completion of Seoul Arena

Some theqoo members expressed concern about whether Seoul Arena will meet its projected completion date in March 2027. However, both Kakao and Hanwha Construction, the key stakeholders, face significant penalties if the project is delayed, making on-time completion highly likely. This fact reassured the community members, who are now eagerly anticipating Seoul Arena’s opening.

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