By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

More skyscrapers in Seoul will have sky lounges where people can enjoy an urban view over a cup of coffee.

Seoul City is promoting a plan to open up skyscraper top floors with good views to the general public, it said Monday.

If a construction company reflects the idea in designing buildings, the construction of 10 percent of additional floor space will be allowed. Specifically, the city suggested the opening of the top one or two floors to create restaurants, cafes and observatories, with the installation of exterior elevators if possible.

Low- or mid-rise downtown buildings will receive the same benefits for opening their top stories.

For example, a high-rise residential-commercial complex in Yongsan district was one that decided to accept the city's suggestion.

But Seoul City itself is taking the lead in making more sky lounges in its official buildings. The new city hall annex ㅡ currently under construction ㅡ will house a public sky lounge on the 12th and 13th floors.

The city government will also open up the top floors in other landmark buildings in Sangam Digital Media City and Yongsan International Business District to the public.

``There are lots of scenic views in Seoul such as Mt. Bukak, Mt. Bukhan, Mt. Gwanak, Cheonggye Stream and Han River. However, there are few high-rise buildings to look out over the cityscape,'' a city official said. ``More buildings are planning observatories offering more chances to get a view of Seoul.''

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr