Recently, as construction costs have risen, the burden of contributions has increased, leading to a rise in the number of maintenance project associations opposing high-rise designs.
According to the maintenance industry and others on the 2nd, Jamsil Woosung 4th in Songpa District, Seoul, has been promoting a plan to raise the floors from 32 to 49 since last year but postponed the decision on whether to build a high-rise. The Jamsil Woosung 4th redevelopment association selected DL E&C as the constructor in July last year. DL E&C proposed a 32-floor design plan, but the association considered a design change to 49 floors.
Later, on the 8th of last month, the general meeting voted on the 32-floor and 49-floor design plans, and since the 49-floor option failed to achieve a majority of votes, the decision was postponed by the board. It is reported that members of the association are concerned about the increased contributions and possible delays in the project due to design changes. The association plans to finalize the decision to promote the 49-floor innovative plan before the general meeting in August.
Previously, the renovation association of Gaepo Jugong 6 and 7 in Gangnam District also pushed for a redevelopment to 49 floors last year, but since the members preferred the existing plan of 35 floors, they received approval for the project implementation plan as originally proposed. The atmosphere for the redevelopment of Banpo Jugong 1st complex 1, 2, and 4 in Seocho District was also to push for 49 floors, but it is currently proceeding at the existing 35 floors due to opposition from the members.
The redevelopment association of Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Area 2 in Seongdong District proposed the maximum floor height for apartment buildings for construction review last year. At that time, out of 1,078 total members, 771 attended, recording 375 votes for 50 floors or fewer and 369 votes for 50 to 70 floors, with 50 floors or fewer prevailing.
In the construction industry, it is considered inevitable that the amount of construction materials increases and the strength rises as the number of floors in apartments increases, leading to increased construction costs. Particularly, the approval process also becomes more complicated, increasing the possibility of project delays.
Safety standards also become stricter. For high-rise buildings exceeding 50 floors, escape safety zones must be established at least once every 30 floors. This is the main reason why most maintenance projects are promoted at 49 floors. From the perspective of the association, the revenue from sales decreases with the space allocated for escape safety zones. As a result, there is a growing trend of members opposing high-rise developments and sacrificing some project viability to expedite project progress and reduce the burden of contributions.
A representative from a major construction company said, "There is a significant difference between 49 and 50 floors. From 50 floors upward, safety standards change dramatically, and construction companies also lack experience, which creates a burden," adding, "The burden of construction costs increases as not only material costs but also more expensive equipment must be used for construction."
Another construction company representative noted, "Due to the burden of construction costs, strengthened safety standards, and administrative procedures, the project timeline cannot help but elongate," saying, "Even with a simple calculation, it takes about 7 to 10 more days to add one floor. If you add 10 floors, it takes an additional 100 days."
The head of a redevelopment association in Seoul also said, "Recently, many members prefer to proceed with faster project progress and lower contributions rather than changing to a high-rise design," adding, "For complexes not significantly affected by the Han River view in Seoul, there is less incentive for high-rises. The recent rise in construction costs has had the most substantial impact on increasing contributions."