Behemoth Lotte Tower permitted to open soon
By Kim Rahn
Seoul City Hall gave conditional permission Thursday for the lower floors of the Lotte World Tower to be opened to the public in two weeks time, ending four months of deliberation over safety concerns.
Lotte said that the building will be opened on a date between Oct. 16 and 20.
However, the city government added that permission will be withdrawn if any major safety and traffic problems occur.
“Our decision has been made on the basis of additional safety checks, discussions with related government organizations and reviews by 23 civic experts,” the capital’s Vice Mayor Lee Kun-ki told reporters.
Lotte is obliged to take measures to ensure the safety of the construction site and to reduce traffic congestion; along with measures against the lowering of the water level of Seokchon Lake situated nearby.
Lotte must also set up additional safety nets to prevent construction material falling from the 123-story tower building, which is still being built. The city also demanded that Lotte install more surveillance cameras, public address systems and protection facilities as part of further efforts to prevent any accidents occurring at the construction site.
Traffic control will also be a big issue because the opening of the lower floors of the complex is forecast to attract about 200,000 visitors a day. Lotte plans to take reservations for parking and not provide free parking coupons to clients.
The city government is also having a study done to identify the cause of the reduced water level of Seokchon Lake, and sink holes that have appeared near Lotte World.
“If there are sink holes, the city government will compensate for any damage first. And if it is found later that the construction is the cause of the sink holes, Lotte will pay money to the city,” Lee said.
The second Lotte World is comprised of a 555-meter tower, to be completed in 2016, and three other smaller buildings which will be opened.
The other buildings of the Lotte World complex contain shopping malls, entertainment facilities and luxury brand stores.
The shopping mall will have mid-priced fashion brand outlets, restaurants, Lotte Himart, Lotte Mart and an aquarium. The entertainment building will house Asia’s largest movie theater with 21 screens, while 200 high-end fashion brands will occupy the last building, called Avenuel.
Lotte said it will take two to three weeks before the opening to bring goods to shops and train employees. The group said it will accept the city government’s conditions and thorough carry out the required work.