A Developer’s Determination to Build a Resort-Like Apartment: A Visit to New Geomdan Royal Park City II in Incheon
"An apartment infused with a developer's determination."
If one were to describe Incheon New Geomdan Royal Park City II in a single phrase, this would be it. Royal Park City II is a large-scale complex (1,500 units) built by real estate developer DK ASIA, which branded it as Korea's first "resort-style city." It was completed in September 2024.
To create a complex worthy of titles like "the best" or "the largest," DK ASIA Chairman Kim Jung-mo personally inspected the site and continues to upgrade the landscaping, community facilities, and residential services. A tour of the complex reveals that not a single detail—from the belt-like planting method of trees and the brightness of the walkway lights to the height of the railings and the rounded edges—has been overlooked. This is why the construction industry often reacts by saying, "I can't believe such an apartment exists in Incheon.“
A Complex Resembling a "Garden Expo" with 4-meter-tall Blue Angels
The landscaping is undoubtedly the most eye-catching feature. It goes beyond just planting many trees; it incorporates tree species, flowering plants, waterways, fountains, and lighting to evoke the feeling of a European garden.
Throughout the complex, large special trees such as silver osmanthus, pine, zelkova, pin oak, and hackberry are planted alongside "Blue Angels," which are considered high-end landscaping trees due to their silver-blue leaves and conical shape. Some Blue Angels reach heights of up to 4 meters. Medium-sized trees like red maples, golden euonymus, black bamboo, and sasanqua camellias have been planted, along with flowers such as roses, hydrangeas, begonias, alliums, and pink muhly. As you walk through the complex, the scent of trees and flowers carries on the breeze. It feels like a garden expo, featuring many species rarely seen in high-end complexes in Gangnam, all meticulously maintained.
The landscaping construction cost is also remarkable, reportedly exceeding 3.8 million KRW per 3.3㎡ (a pyeong). Considering that high-end reconstruction projects in the Gangnam area typically spend around 1.6 to 1.9 million KRW, this reflects a bold investment.
The "Royal Canal Avenue" stretches through the center of the complex. It features a 430-meter-long waterway and a 55-meter-long "Canal Walk" connecting two tea houses. Over 100 fountains of various sizes have been installed, including a 7-meter-tall, 12-meter-wide European-style sculptural fountain. This embodies DK ASIA’s design philosophy that landscaping should also be experienced through "sound."
A DK ASIA official noted, "This complex is even more beautiful at night or in winter." Indeed, when the sun sets and the lights illuminate the walkways and waterways, the atmosphere transforms. The soft, elegant lighting creates a vibe similar to a luxury resort.
Top-Tier Hotel-Level Services and a Medical "Hotline" for Residents
DK ASIA operates 38 community facilities and 13 residential services at the level of a 6-star hotel or resort at Royal Park City II.
At the "Trinity Lounge," a buffet serving three meals a day with rotating menus is available for just over 10,000 KRW. Residents can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner without ever leaving the complex. In March of this year, the first branch of "Gourmet Galleria," a premium F&B brand affiliated with the Hanwha Group, was opened.
In January, the complex introduced "Royal Legend Heroes," an indoor facility where residents can enjoy seven sports including screen golf, baseball, soccer, and shooting. This is the first time this facility, which is a popular attraction at Lotte World in Jamsil, has been brought inside an apartment complex.
The complex is equipped with premium hotel-level athletic facilities. The two-story indoor golf range features 50-meter driving distances with GDR installed at every stall, and a separate screen golf area is also available. The fitness center is furnished with equipment from Technogym, a world-renowned brand. The swimming pool is designed as a hotel-style facility complete with a kiddie pool and a dry sauna. With its chandelier-lit interior and high-end finishing materials, it evokes the charm of medieval Europe. The facility operates on a reservation basis to limit the number of users at any one time. Residents can also watch newly released films at the "Royal Cinema Lounge" without needing to visit an external theater.
Residential services go beyond those of typical apartments. A "Royal Train" service has been introduced to help residents tour the landscaping, and a private yacht service utilizing two 55-passenger power catamarans is also provided. Furthermore, a direct medical service has been established in cooperation with three hospitals in Seo-gu, Incheon—International St. Mary's Hospital, Onnuri Hospital, and New Geomdan Top Hospital—allowing residents to receive medical guidance and appointment scheduling assistance.
Improved Accessibility to Magok and Gimpo via the New New Geomdan-Dream Road
Transportation conditions are also improving. With the opening of the 4-lane New Geomdan-Dream Road last April, the driving distance from Yuhyeon Intersection in the New Geomdan district to Dream Road in Gyeyang-gu was reduced by 1.2 km, cutting travel time by about 10 minutes. It has become much easier to travel from New Geomdan to Gimpo or Magok via the Haengju Bridge. A local real estate agent stated, "There is a growing consensus that the location of New Geomdan New Town has improved by a notch, and interest from commuters heading to the northwestern part of Seoul is increasing."
Royal Park City II is located about 700 meters from Wanggil Station on Incheon Line 2, a 10-minute walk. DK ASIA operates a shuttle bus for residents that runs to the nearby subway station every 10 minutes.
Market evaluation of DK ASIA has also risen. According to an analysis of big data regarding 17 major domestic developer brands by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute over one month starting April 28, DK ASIA ranked first. This is attributed to the fact that they introduced a resort-style residential model that combines landscaping, community, and residential services, which boosted brand awareness and favorability.
Supply of 383 Company-Held Units; 84㎡ Units Priced in the High 600 Million KRW Range
The 383 units available for pre-sale (subscription) starting on the 25th are units previously held by the company, which are now being released to the market to participate in the government's policy to expand housing supply. By type, there are 95 units of 74㎡A, 110 units of 74㎡B, 80 units of 84㎡A, and 98 units of 84㎡B. All are small to medium-sized units favored by real-world buyers.
The pre-sale price for an 84㎡ unit is in the high 600 million to low 700 million KRW range. This price includes 33 options, such as system air conditioning in every room, a 3-column built-in refrigerator, a kimchi refrigerator, European kitchen furniture, a coffered ceiling, and a household storage unit. The company explains that considering the recent costs of such options, the actual perceived price is in the high 500 million KRW range.
The fact that it is a non-regulated area and will be incorporated into the newly established "New Geomdan-gu" as part of an administrative district reorganization starting in July is also drawing interest from real-world buyers.
Previously, "Geomam Station Royal Park City Limited 197," supplied last March, recorded an average competition rate of 8.54 to 1 and a top rate of 28.60 to 1, with 1,682 applications received for 197 units.
The winners will be announced on the 26th, and contracts are scheduled to be signed on the 27th.