The curved glass design of the new building is intended to resemble the traditional Korean wave (Hallyu) and the shape of a deep-sea crest.
The vertical garden inside the lobby spans from the first floor to the seventh floor, covering over 1,500 square meters.
The original 1926 building was repurposed into the Seoul Metropolitan Library after the new city hall was completed.
The city hall site was historically the location of the Gyeongseong Public Library during the colonial period.
The facade's glass skin functions as a thermal buffer, reducing energy consumption by utilizing a double-skin ventilation system.
Seoul City Hall features a distinct architectural contrast between the historic 1926 Renaissance-style former city hall and the modern, curved glass eco-friendly structure completed in 2012. The modern annex functions as the primary administrative hub and a multi-purpose cultural venue. The building incorporates a massive vertical garden, recognized as one of the world's largest indoor green walls. The facility serves as a public space featuring the Seoul Metropolitan Library, exhibition halls, and a performance venue. The plaza in front serves as a major site for public gatherings, seasonal festivals, and government-led events. Its glass facade is designed to optimize natural lighting and thermal efficiency as part of the city's green building initiatives.
The main lobby looking up at the vertical garden, or the plaza looking back at the juxtaposition of the old and new buildings.
Visit the Seoul Metropolitan Library inside the old building for quiet reading spaces and a view of the plaza.
Check the event schedule for the Seoul Plaza directly in front of the building before visiting to catch seasonal outdoor performances or art installations.
Head to the upper floors of the new building to access the Sky Plaza, which offers a vantage point of the historic building and the surrounding district.
Assuming the old building is still the primary office; do not try to enter staff-only administrative offices in the new tower.
The Seoul Metropolitan Library is closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the library sections; standard business-casual decorum is expected in administrative areas.
