POSCO, which successfully built a mini city in Songdo, is currently constructing a new brand town in Ilsan.
During an afternoon visit on the 29th of last month, the construction site of 'The Sharp Ilsan Eloi' in the Pungdong area of Ilsan, Goyang, rendered the promotional slogan used at the time of the 2021 sale meaningless. With just a month to go before occupancy, dust was everywhere at the site. 'Pungdong Stream', depicted in promotional videos as a clear stream flowing amidst cherry blossom trees, was actively being excavated. The pedestrian pathways were filled with mud puddles and debris, making each step cautious. The pedestrian bridge, said to connect directly to Baekma Academy and the bustling area through the low-rise commercial buildings, was already completed but remained disconnected.
I received a unit here to start my newlywed life before marriage. Even though it is in the outskirts of Ilsan, the selling price exceeded 700 million won, but I thought it would be suitable for raising a child. Above all, I believed there wouldn't be much to worry about because it’s a 'The Sharp' brand apartment," said a prospective resident, Mr. Noh.
'The Sharp Ilsan Eloi' is a large scale officetel with the tallest above ground structure of 42 floors and a total of 1,976 units, located in three blocks (C-1-1, C-1-2, C-2) in the Pungdong 2 district of Ilsan, Goyang. Occupancy is scheduled for the 30th. POSCO E&C was awarded a city development project to create about 4,000 residential units in the Pungdong area in 2021. They stated that they would create a 'The Sharp brand town' in Ilsan, including officetel 'The Sharp Ilsan Eloi', with 2,090 apartment units.
As high-end brand apartments are being constructed, the selling prices were also at a high level. The highest price for a 84㎡ unit was around 780 million won. Many of the prospective residents were newlyweds or seniors wanting to provide 'their own house' for their children. Schools such as Poongsan Elementary and Poongsan Middle were within walking distance, and the natural-friendly advantage was highlighted by the Pungdong Stream flowing right next to it.
Another prospective resident noted, "There was a time when it was so much in demand that it traded at a premium (p)," and added, "I was utterly disappointed after checking the complex on the pre-inspection day last May."
The biggest issue the prospective residents pointed out was the 'pedestrian bridge.' It was said that the pedestrian bridge crossing the Gyeongui-Jungang Line would directly connect to the 2nd floor junctions of buildings 103 and 201, but in reality, an elevator was under construction on the ground to access the bridge. The prospective residents believed they could walk to Baekma Academy and the bustling area in 10 minutes via the pedestrian bridge before the pre-inspection on the 10th of last month. Until then, they had received no guidance from the developer or construction company.
Seo Jeong-myeong, chairman of the Residents' Countermeasure Committee, stated, "Whether the pedestrian bridge connects with the complex or not changes the value of the infrastructure and living area," and added, "I paid nearly 800 million won for the sale based on the bridge and Pungdong Stream at the time of purchase."
As complaints from prospective residents flooded in, Mayor Lee Dong-hwan stepped up directly. He met with prospective residents to hear their requests last month. The city then formed a consultative body comprising the developer, construction company, city officials, and the residents' committee. While the first meeting of the consultative body took place that afternoon, it was confirmed that none of the practical decision-makers from the developer or construction company attended, and thus the meeting concluded with notice of a second meeting on the 5th. The mayor affirmed that "it will be difficult to approve completion if the auxiliary facilities are not finished."
A Goyang city official stated, "The developer has not yet applied for a landscape review regarding the bridge, so we are waiting," and added, "Both the developer and the construction company seem to have yet to finalize their stance. If a review comes in June, we will examine it first."
POSCO E&C, the construction company, stated, "We are not in a position to directly control the construction as we are executing it according to the original design," and noted, "Regarding the issues raised by prospective residents, it seems the developer and the city of Goyang are in discussions."
According to the residents' committee, the developer stated, "It is challenging to install because the slope is too steep due to the disability mobility rights," and that, "We did not think it was something to notify in advance." ChosunBiz attempted to contact the developer but received no response.