Sofitel Hotel

client : Accor
branding : Sofitel
services : Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Oversight
typology : Hospitality
location : Seoul, Korea

This landmark development was conceived as a cutting-edge hospitality destination that seamlessly blends state-of-the-art technology, 5-star luxury, and traditional Korean design motifs. The architectural concept responds to the client’s vision for a modern hotel that delivers exceptional service, comfort, and cultural resonance within the dynamic urban core of Seoul.

Occupying a 10,000 sqm site in the city center, the project comprises 560 hotel rooms and suites, along with 66 luxury serviced apartments. A wide array of amenities supports both business and leisure guests, including seven restaurants, three bars, a lounge bar, a health and wellness club, and a suspended open-air swimming pool, which is covered during the winter months. A rooftop golf training course crowns the fourth floor, while extensive conference and banqueting facilities—including a grand hall accommodating up to 800 guests—serve the MICE market.

Two striking towers form the architectural centerpiece, intersecting at a dynamic angle around a shared vertical core containing elevators and services. One tower slightly surpasses the other in height, and both are oriented toward the site’s prominent corner, anchoring a landscaped urban plaza and grand hotel entrance. The towers’ forms are sculpted with precision, evoking the elegance of contemporary jewelry, with clean, uninterrupted lines extending from base to crown. A slanted canopy defines the entrance, and a dramatic cantilevered restaurant volume at the uppermost level adds motion and panoramic views to the skyline.

Positioned at a 45-degree angle to the main street, the building optimizes views for all guest rooms, framing Seoul’s river and cityscape. The podium levels integrate 12,000 sqm of retail arcades, seamlessly linked to adjacent underground shopping galleries—a distinctive feature of Seoul’s urban fabric.

Key Program Elements:

560 luxury hotel rooms

66 high-end serviced suites (3-4 bedrooms with living/dining areas)

7 restaurants, 3 bars, and 1 lounge bar

Reception hall, conference rooms, and banqueting hall (800 pax)

Health club with squash courts and panoramic swimming pool

Rooftop golf training terrace

12,000 sqm commercial arcade

450-space underground parking garage