Hanwha Hotel & Resort will completely remodel The Plaza in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul for about..

Increase suites and target global VIPs
Pine dining and promote LHW membership
Create a rooftop garden and open it to citizens

사진 확대 A bird’s eye view of The Plaza remodeling [Hanwha Hotel & Resort]

Hanwha Hotel & Resort will completely remodel The Plaza in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul for about three years from the end of September. Instead of reducing deluxe rooms, it will expand top-end suites and VIP spaces, and host world-class fine-dining restaurants to transform them into high-end hotels aimed at global VIPs. A new rooftop garden with a panoramic view of Seoul City Hall, Gwanghwamun, and Gyeongbokgung Palace will also be created and opened to the general public.

Hanwha Hotel & Resort announced on the 19th that it will start a large-scale remodeling to mark the 50th anniversary of The Plaza’s opening. The Plaza will suspend operations on September 30 and begin construction early next year. The construction period is about three years, and it is expected to be completed in 2029.

It is the first time in 16 years that The Plaza has undergone a full-scale remodeling since 2010. Opened in 1976, The Plaza is a representative luxury hotel in downtown Seoul, located opposite Seoul City Hall. Hanwha Hotel & Resort plans to completely redesign its rooms, food and beverage (F&B), and business and cultural spaces to grow them into top-notch hotels on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

사진 확대 A bird’s eye view of The Plaza remodeling [Hanwha Hotel & Resort]

The key to this remodeling is strengthening rooms and services aimed at VIP customers such as global entrepreneurs and high-ranking government officials. The proportion of high-end suite rooms will be expanded by reorganizing the room composition, which is currently centered on deluxe rooms. A separate work space will be set up inside the room, and the size and service of the club lounge will be strengthened for customers who frequently meet for business purposes.

However, considering the symbolism of The Plaza, which has continued for half a century, the exterior of the building maintains its initial design. The purpose is to completely change the internal space and service and inherit the identity of the hotel that has been built for 50 years in downtown Seoul.

It will also significantly strengthen its competitiveness in food and beverage. Michelin-starred restaurants and other world-class pindasIt will promote the attraction of Inning restaurants and foster the Sogong-dong area as a high-end gastronomic base in connection with “The Plaza Dining” operated nearby.

It will also seek to join The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), a luxury independent hotel association affiliated with the Ritz Paris Hotel in France. The strategy is to enter the global luxury hotel network and actively attract high-income overseas customers and VIP demand.

사진 확대 A bird’s-eye view of The Plaza’s rooftop garden [Hanwha Hotel & Resort]

On the top floor of the hotel, a new rooftop garden with a view of downtown Seoul will be built. In particular, a dedicated elevator that moves directly to the rooftop will be installed on the outer wall of the building so that not only hotel guests but also ordinary citizens can use it.

From the rooftop garden, you can see major historical and cultural spaces in downtown Seoul, including Seoul City Hall, Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Cheong Wa Dae. Rooftop cafes will also be set up to create a space where you can enjoy the history of Seoul and the cityscape together.

사진 확대 A bird’s-eye view of The Plaza Rooftop Cafe [Hanwha Hotel & Resort]

Hanwha Building, Hanwha Financial Plaza, completely refurbished

This Plaza remodeling is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s integrated development project for Sogong District 1, 2, and 3. The Plaza in Sogong District 1, Hanwha Building in District 2, and Hanwha Financial Plaza in District 3 will be refurbished together. The three buildings will be remodeled while maintaining the existing frame to be transformed into urban complex bases with hotel, work, culture and commercial functions.

Currently, the building permit has been approved and follow-up procedures such as deliberation on the dismantling of buildings are underway. An official from Hanwha Hotel & Resort said, “We plan to complete the construction in 2029 in consultation with local governments.”

The Plaza remodeling is also in line with Hanwha Group’s high-end strategy in hotels, resorts, and department stores. ANTO, a premium resort at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, recently expanded its high-end contents by opening the ultra-luxury full-side dining “Bueno Beach Club.”

사진 확대 A bird’s eye view of Galleria Luxury Hall [Hanwha Hotel & Resort]

The Galleria Luxury Hall is also undergoing reconstruction, led by world-renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick. It plans to strengthen VIP contents as well as internal and external contents to grow into a global high-end department store. Hanwha plans to create synergy by fostering Antho, The Plaza, and Galleria Luxury Hall as high-end offline assets representing the group.

The Plaza will hold a customer audit event called Memories of the PLAZA ahead of its suspension in September. You can submit photos and stories taken at the hotel to the official SNS channel or hotel by the 31st of this month. Winners will be announced on September 4th and will be presented with Plaza Suite accommodation tickets and their own brand (PB) product “P Collection.” There will also be an event that offers up to 50% discounts on Blangerie the Plaza, Seven Square, Gstum, and rooms.

Starting with the 50th anniversary of its opening, The Plaza will be reborn as a completely different high-end hotel than before, an official at Hanwha Hotel & Resort said. “Thank you for your support, and we will visit you again with spaces and services that are different.”