By Bae Ji-sook
Have you ever dreamed of a uniformed doorman opening your car door and carrying your bags to the lift on a bustling Monday morning, or a concierge making copies of documents for you while you concentrate on presentation design?
Sounds like a five-star hotel service, but such new concept of high-end building management is about to emerge as the Chosun Hotel has signed up to become a main services provider for “State Tower,” a 24-story building in Hoehyeon-dong, central Seoul that is expected to open next year.
Shinhan BNP Paribas, the owner of the building, and the Chosun management signed an agreement Tuesday, in which the hotel will provide reception, concierge, housekeeping, security, gardening and parking services.
On the top floor, a VIP guest lounge will be established alongside a fitness club and cafe.
The concierges will run nearly all errands hoteliers would — they will even call taxis for female workers who stay late for night shifts.
“It is a hotel within a building except for the bedrooms,” a promoter of the building said.
This will be Korea’s first brand office building. But industry insiders say the State Tower is likely to lead a new trend since three to five office buildings are scheduled to be built within the next five years around Mt. Nam and Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.