Hotel Shilla to build hanok property in central Seoul

Hotel Shilla has been given approval to build a hanok hotel in Seoul — a long-sought-after plan of its CEO Lee Boo-jin.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Wednesday, the city’s committee on architecture approved the project to erect a traditional Korean house-styled hotel, which is seen as the final step for construction permission that will be given by the Jung-gu Office, the relevant district office.

Construction will begin next year and be finished as early as 2025. It will be the first hanok hotel in Seoul operated by a large company.

The project has been a long-cherished plan since Lee became CEO in 2010.

Lee is also the eldest daughter of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

The hanok property, to be built next to its flagship Shilla Hotel Seoul, will be a two-story building with three basement levels. Along with the property, a duty free shop with two stories above ground and four underground levels as well as two levels of basement parking will be built.

Previously, the building of any lodging facilities had been forbidden on Mount Nam, where the hanok hotel was planned, because of preservation regulations. But in July 2011, the Seoul Metropolitan Council changed the ordinance to allow only a traditional Korean architecture-themed hotel to be constructed.

However, the revision faced criticism for favoring conglomerates and hurting the natural landscape. Following twists and turns, the company won approval on its fifth attempt after design changes to better suit the natural surroundings.