Pangyo Balconies Grow in Size, Number

Small and medium-sized apartment houses in Pangyo New Town in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, which will begin accepting applications on March 29, will have more and larger balconies on average.

After the legalization of balcony remodeling and balcony additions to apartments, construction companies have designed apartment houses with as many balconies as possible. Some apartment houses have as many as seven balconies around 10 pyeong in area.

Most major spaces, including living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, have been designed facing outward to improve lighting, ventilation, and views.

A total of 10 private construction companies are putting a total of 5,352 rental or for-sale apartments on the market, and are completing floor plan designs to exhibit them on the Internet.

A total of 476 “A-type” 33-pyeong units in the apartment complex “Poongsung Shinmiju,” the largest of the pre-sale apartment house complexes, will have four rooms with remodeled balconies. One of the balconies can be remodeled into an additional room.

A total of 361 “B-type” 33-pyeong units include seven balconies with a total area of 14 pyeong. The net area will be over 39 pyeong with all the balconies extended.

The 721 32-pyeong units in the apartment complex “EG The One” will be equipped with unique pocket balconies inserted into a room lengthwise. The 32-pyeong units of the “Hansung Feel House” complex will have balconies on three sides.

Most construction companies will sign a contract for balcony remodeling, apart from sales contract, with purchasers who want extended balconies, and will complete balcony work before move-in. These balcony remodeling costs will be paid by purchasers. The estimated cost for a 30-pyeong unit remodeling job is around 10 to 20 million won.

Senior manager Yang Heung-mo said, “We will separately provide necessary spaces, such as laundry, storage, and safety zones, before entering into balcony remodeling works.”

Extended balconies will be included in rental apartment houses as well. Balcony remodeling will be available before move-in, subject to approval by the authorities concerned.

The 33-pyeong apartments in the “Moa Miraedo” complex have balconies in front of and behind the master bedrooms. The front and rear balconies could potentially be used as libraries and workrooms if remodeled.

Moa Construction Director Choi Ryeong said, “The cost is at tenants’ expenses. If tenants do not purchase after 10 years or if they move out within 10 years, we will refund the construction cost less the depreciation amount based on the number of years the apartment is used.”

Balcony Designs Improve Lighting And View-

Pangyo New Town has the Unjung Stream and the soon-to-be-developed 370,000-pyeong Geumtosan Park nearby. Namseoul Country Club is close by as well.

In order to maintain a fine view of the stream, park, and golf course, most apartment houses will be designed in a “tower-style” and have master bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens facing outward.

“B-type” 33-pyeong Poongsung Shinmiju apartments are designed in a “five-bay” style, which have five spaces—master bedroom, living room, two smaller bedrooms, and kitchen—arranged facing outward.

Poongsung Housing Assistant Manager Lee Tae-seok said, “Our units have longer designs to provide fine views from everywhere. Most of the units will command an amazing view, except for some lower-floor units.”

The 33-pyeong units (74 units) of the tower-style “Kunyoung Casa Ville” apartment complex are designed in an “L” shaped style to form into a five-bay style. The Hanlim Ritz Ville and Hansung Feel House apartments are designed in a “3.5 bay style” for ventilation and lighting reasons.

It is possible that built-in wardrobes, flooring, and electric home appliances will cost extra because an upper limit has been imposed on unit sale prices.

imsoo@donga.com