According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) A previously run-down shopping mall in central Seoul, once a go-to place for hardware and gadgets galore, reopened Tuesday after completing part of its long-sought renovation as a modern entertainment and business hotspot.

An opening ceremony for the first phase of Sewoon Shopping Mall's renewal took place in the refurbished building, according to the Seoul metropolitan government in charge of its revitalization project.

The Sewoon mall was established in 1967 as the country's first multipurpose building with residential and commercial spaces. Many rich and high-profile figures resided in the building at that time.

It later became a household name that encompassed a stretch of six other neighboring shopping centers in the next few blocks -- forming a vertical line on a map -- from Junggu district in the north to Jongno district in the south, crossing the Cheonggye Stream in the very center of the capital.


The photo, taken Sept. 18, 2017, shows the remodeled Sewoon Shopping Mall in Jongno district, central Seoul. (Yonhap)

The Sewoon mall flourished for over a decade as a mecca of all kinds of electronic goods and tools. Those businesses began to falter in the mid-1970s, as the government, led by then-President Park Chung-hee, pushed for development in the southern parts of Seoul.

The establishment of the new Yongsan electronics market in the late 1980s further quickened its downfall.

Over the years, the Seoul city government vacillated between a complete demolition and renovation of the outmoded shopping district. But little progress was made as the project hit snags amid prolonged conflict with existing merchants and residents who raised doubts over the government's plan and its promise for decent compensation.

Major economic maelstroms, including the 1997 Asian financial crisis, are also cited as factors that dragged down the redevelopment.

In 2014, the city government unveiled a 53.5 billion-won (US$47.3 million) blueprint to revamp what had turned into a half-century-old eyesore.

The revitalization project was designed to increase public access by rebuilding the pedestrian overpasses three floors high in each of the seven buildings. In that way, the area would attract more visitors, including tourists, the city government said.

It has finished installing the walkways for only two of the buildings, with the rest heading for completion by 2020.

New observation decks and gardens have been created on the rooftops, from which visitors will get a chance to rest and enjoy a rare view of the cityscape.

The remodeled space has also provided a testing ground for 17 startups that have moved into the building, seeking to grow their ventures into lucrative businesses -- just like the golden days of the Sewoon shops -- the city government added.


This file photo, taken Aug. 22, 1987, captures a busy day at the Sewoon Shopping Mall in the Jongno district in central Seoul. (Yonhap)

elly@yna.co.kr

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