[Reportage] "Went to See an Apartment, Found a Resort"... 383 Post-Sale Units Break Convention and Open to Buyers [Real Estate AtoZ]
Wanggil-dong, Incheon, which will become an independent municipal district next month. Upon arriving near the 'Royal Park City II' complex on the 16th, Wondang-daero, which has been widened to an eight-lane road, first caught the eye. Passing through the entrance and stepping into the complex, the city noise faded away, replaced by the sound of water falling from a stone fountain and calm music.
Along the walking paths, premium tree species such as 4-meter-tall Blue Angels, large sweet osmanthus, and pine trees stood in lines, while a European-style garden inspired by Italy's 'Villa d'Este' unfolded between the high-rise apartments. The landscaping area ratio of the complex stands at 37%, significantly exceeding the legal requirement of 15%. Over 10 specialized sculptures that surpass legal mandatory installation standards were placed throughout the area, reminiscent of a luxury resort.
On the unused land outside the complex, a rye flower field and a 1-meter-wide, 8-kilometer-long red clay path for barefoot walking have been created. Moving beyond mere visual landscaping, the complex fully incorporates a healthy daily routine inside and out, allowing residents to walk barefoot on the earth whenever they please.
Incheon's First Post-Construction Sale... Experience First, Contract Later
This is Incheon's first pre-constructed, post-sale (forward-funded) complex. Developed by real estate developer DK ASIA, constructed by Daewoo E&C, and with landscaping handled by Samsung C&T's Resort Division, it was completed as a 1,500-unit complex. This case overturns the traditional housing market convention where buyers must sign contracts for multi-million won high-end homes based solely on bird's-eye views and model home displays. For Royal Park City II, contracts are signed after buyers physically walk through the finished complex and meticulously inspect the actual homes they will live in.
The unique details of a pre-constructed, post-sale complex are reflected even in the subtle materials and finishes that do not easily catch the eye. A representative from DK ASIA stated, "We poured so much devotion into this that even people in the industry questioned if it was possible to pay this much attention to detail. For instance, the safety railings on the disability ramps at the building entrances—which typically use iron—were constructed with high-cost automotive laminated glass to enhance both openness and safety." They added, "We are continuing to upgrade the internal facilities of the complex, including the landscaping.“
In particular, Kim Jeong-mo, Chairman of DK ASIA, drew inspiration from the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy, to design the arched ceilings of the pathways connecting the sauna and swimming pool, dedicating substantial effort from the architectural planning phase.
The sale price for an 84㎡ exclusive area ranges from the 660 million won to 730 million won level, while the 74㎡ exclusive area ranges from 590 million won to 660 million won. The sale price includes about 33 options worth approximately 100 million won, such as refrigerators, kimchi refrigerators, and system air conditioners. Upon paying just a 5% down payment, residents can move in immediately and enjoy the fully completed infrastructure.
Currently, community facilities such as the swimming pool, sauna, fitness center, indoor golf driving range, movie theater, and study room are operated free of charge, and fees will be determined later after the representative council of residents is formed. The music room (karaoke) inside the complex can be used at a 30% discount compared to outside facilities.
The nearby 4,805-unit 'Royal Park City I', which moved in previously, uses all community facilities for 25,000 won per household per month. A DK ASIA representative mentioned, "The public maintenance fee for Royal Park City II based on the 84㎡ exclusive area is currently in the high 100,000 won range per month. Even if the community facilities transition to a paid service, the monthly public maintenance fee is expected to remain around the 200,000 won level." Separately, the three-meal service provided to residents, operated by Hanwha Gourmet 494 Galleria, is priced at 11,000 won per meal.
Creating an Ecosystem of 36,500 Households... Going Beyond 'Sales' to Boost 'Urban Value’
The Wanggil-dong area, where the complex is located, will officially launch as 'Geomdan-gu' on the 1st of next month after separating from Seo-gu. When a new autonomous district is established, administrative agencies including the district office move in, and a separate independent budget is allocated for expanding local infrastructure. This signifies that the Geomdan area is growing rapidly enough to warrant an independent district.
This area is the central axis of the 'Eco Meta City' master plan, which Incheon City is pushing forward as a core future project. Incheon City plans to link this area with Geomdan New Town to create a 100,000-household eco-friendly megacity in the future. Incheon City's vision includes laying the Incheon Subway Circular Line 3, which penetrates Eco Meta City from north to south, and connecting it with the GTX-D, the Seoul Subway Line 7 extension, and Incheon Lines 1 and 2.
In line with Incheon City's vision, DK ASIA is participating in the Eco Meta City project through a private-led development totaling 36,500 households. Following the completion of the Phase 1 Royal Park City I and II, they recently signed business agreements with Hana Bank and the law firm Kim & Chang to proceed with licensing and permits for the Phase 2 supply of 16,800 households. Moving beyond just creating apartment complexes, DK ASIA completely replaced outdated streetlights on nearby roads, such as Baekseok Bridge, and planted new street trees. This reflects the company's commitment to enhancing the value of the entire city and taking responsibility until the end, breaking away from the practice of traditional developers who simply pocket sales profits and leave.
The expansion of the transportation network is also becoming visible. Wondang-daero in front of the complex completed its expansion from four lanes to eight lanes last month. Once the Jungbong Tunnel, scheduled to break ground in 2027, is opened, access to Cheongna International City will be possible within 8 minutes. This will allow residents to enjoy large-scale infrastructure such as Costco Cheongna (opened in August 2024), Starfield Cheongna (scheduled for completion in 2027), and Seoul Asan Medical Center Cheongna (scheduled for completion in 2029).
Using Wanggil Station on Incheon Line 2, which is a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from Royal Park City II, residents can transfer to the Airport Railroad at Geomam Station to reach Seoul Station in about an hour. If the direct connection between the Airport Railroad and Line 9 is linked in the future, traveling to Gangnam will be possible without transferring. Major business districts such as Seoul Magok District and Gimpo Airport can be reached within approximately 30 minutes by car.
Shuttle buses connecting the complex and the station are also in operation. The shuttle heading to Geomdan Sagori Station runs from the complex past Wanggil Elementary School to the station. It operates at 10-minute intervals from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding lunchtime. For those commuting to Seoul, a separate shuttle to Geomam Station on the Airport Railroad runs during commuting hours.
Sites for elementary and high schools are already secured within walking distance of the complex. The establishment timing for the elementary school is being coordinated in conjunction with the neighboring 3,000-household development, and the high school is in the final stages of design, with construction scheduled to break ground in March next year.
Subscription on the 25th... 383 Company-Held Units Converted to General Public Offering
DK ASIA will begin accepting subscriptions for 383 units of 74㎡ and 84㎡ exclusive areas on the 25th. Royal Park City II is a complex where move-ins are already underway; this particular volume consists of units originally held by the company for rental operations but converted to a general public sale in line with the government's stance on expanding housing supply.
Anyone aged 19 or older can apply online from anywhere in the country, regardless of their residential area or whether they hold a housing subscription account. The announcement of winners will take place on the 26th, and contract signing will be conducted from the 27th to the 29th.
A DK ASIA official stated, "For 'Geomam Station Royal Park City Limited 197', which was additionally supplied last March, 1,682 applications were received for 197 units, closing with an average competition rate of 8.54 to 1 and a peak rate of 28.6 to 1." They added, "We believe that DK ASIA ranking first in the developer brand reputation survey recently published by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute reflects the positive responses from residents regarding the operation, management, and community services after completion."