# 63 Building

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Skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea

63 Building Interactive map of the 63 Building area General information Location Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul South Korea Coordinates 37°31′11″N 126°56′24″E / 37.51972°N 126.94000°E / 37.51972; 126.94000 Opened July 27, 1985 Owner Hanwha Group (Hanwha 63 City Corp.) Height Antenna spire 274 m (899 ft) Roof 249.6 m (819 ft)[1] Top floor 240 m (790 ft) Technical details Floor count 63 (3 underground) Floor area 166,207 m (545,299 ft)[2] Lifts/elevators 37, by Hitachi/GoldStar (modernized by Mitsubishi Electric) Design and construction Architects Harry D. Som and Helen W. Som, Som and Associates, ChunMyeong Park Website https://www.63realty.co.kr/

The **63 Building** ([Korean](/source/Korean_language): 63빌딩; [RR](/source/Revised_Romanization_of_Korean): *Yuksam Building*), officially called **63 SQUARE**[3] (formerly **Hanwha 63 City**), is a [skyscraper](/source/Skyscraper) on the island of [Yeouido](/source/Yeouido), overlooking the [Han River](/source/Han_River_(Korea)) in [Seoul](/source/Seoul), South Korea. At 249.6 m (819 ft) high, it was the tallest building outside North America when it was opened on July 27, 1985, and it is the second-tallest gold-clad building in the world after [Grand Lisboa](/source/Grand_Lisboa) in [Macau](/source/Macau). It stood as South Korea's tallest building until the [Hyperion Tower](/source/Hyperion_Tower) surpassed it in 2003, but remained the country's tallest commercial building until the [Northeast Asia Trade Tower](/source/Northeast_Asia_Trade_Tower) was topped-out in 2009.[4]

The 63 Building was built as a landmark for the [1988 Summer Olympics](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics). *63* is something of a misnomer since only 60 floors are above ground level. Floors 61–63 are restricted areas. The skyscraper is the headquarters of [Korea Life Insurance](/source/Hanwha_Daehan_Life_Insurance), [Industrial Bank of Korea Securities](/source/Industrial_Bank_of_Korea), and other major financial companies.

The design of the structure is based on the Hanja character for person or human being (人 or *in*) in a subtle reference by the designers to the business of Daehan Life, the insurance company that constructed the building.

## History

### Construction

The 63 Building's construction broke ground in February 1980, at the height of South Korea's economic boom. It was built at a cost of 180 billion [won](/source/South_Korean_won), and construction was completed in May 1985. It was originally named the DLI 63 building, for Daehan Life Insurance.[5] In 2000, [Hanwha Group](/source/Hanhwa) renamed the building 63 City and it became part of the group in 2002.[6]

### 63 Building and Present

It was temporarily opened on July 5, 1985, and the completion ceremony was fully opened on July 27, the same year, and was held on September 30. It was the tallest building in the world when excluding [North America](/source/North_America), beating the [Sunshine 60](/source/Sunshine_60) building in [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo), [Japan](/source/Japan) at the time of its completion, before the [OUB centre](/source/One_Raffles_Place) was built in [Singapore](/source/Singapore) in 1987 and the [Bank of China Tower](/source/Bank_of_China_Tower_(Hong_Kong)) in [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong) in 1990. On the eve of the opening ceremony of the [1988 Summer Olympics](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics), the Olympic flame slepted at the [Bonghwadae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bonghwadae&action=edit&redlink=1) in front of the 63 Building, and it became famous around the world. Originally, it was the headquarters of [Korea Life Insurance](/source/Korea_Life_Insurance) of Shindonga Group, but it was dismantled in 1997 due to the [IMF](/source/IMF), and the 63 Building was moved to [Hanwha Group](/source/Hanwha_Group). The [Seoul International Fireworks Festival](/source/Seoul_International_Fireworks_Festival) began in 2000 and was canceled in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, and the event dates were adjusted in consideration of the [2002 Korea–Japan World Cup](/source/2002_FIFA_World_Cup). It has been designated as an official World Cup cultural event. The 63 Building was also owned by Hanwha Group when Korea Life Insurance (currently Hanwha Life Insurance) was acquired and incorporated into Hanwha Group in September.[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

63 Building's new refurbishment was carried out in three stages.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] A total of 13,944 exterior wall glass sheets were completely replaced during the second phase of construction, especially for safety purpose.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The first phase of construction began in February 2005 and was completed in July 2009, while the second phase began construction in March 2010. In 2012, the evacuation safety zone was set up on the 21st and 38th floors of the 63 Building, and was renovated in April 2013. The second phase was completed in May 2013, the third phase began construction in July 2011, and the second phase was completed on January 12, 2014, and the carpet tile construction was carried out on January 18, the same year. In May 2015, the 63 Building celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special 30% discount event to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of the 63 Restaurant.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In July 2016, the third phase of construction was completed.

## Facilities

The 60th floor houses the world's highest [art gallery](/source/Art_gallery) and an [observation deck](/source/Observation_deck) known as the 63 Golden Tower, that allows visitors to see as far as [Incheon](/source/Incheon) on clear days. The 59th floor features international restaurants called *Walking in the Cloud*, while the 58th floor houses family restaurants called *Touch the Sky*. Observation elevators equipped with windows enable passengers to view the city on their way to/from the observation deck. In the evening, some elevators are available exclusively for couples. These are known as Love Elevators which give guests a one-minute ride. The lower floors house an indoor shopping mall with approximately 90 stores, an [IMAX](/source/IMAX) theater, and formerly a large [aquarium](/source/Public_aquarium). A [convention center](/source/Convention_center) and [banquet hall](/source/Banquet_hall) are also housed within the building.

## In popular culture

The 63 Building is featured in the 2000 [computer game](/source/Computer_game) *[SimCity 3000](/source/SimCity_3000) Unlimited* and is featured on its cover. In the game, it can be built as a landmark titled the 'Korea Life Building'. It also appeared in a sequel game, *[SimCity 4](/source/SimCity_4)*, as a DLC landmark building.

The 63 Building is featured in the 2012 [disaster film](/source/Disaster_film) [*The Tower*](/source/The_Tower_(2012_South_Korean_film)), of which the building was used as director Kim Ji-hoon's inspiration to create the fictional 120-story twin tower Tower Sky complex.

## Gallery

		- 63 Building photographed in May 2023

		- [Topped-out](/source/Topping_out) 63 Building photographed in June 1984

		- 63 building was photographed in 2007.

		- At sunrise, the 63 Building begins to glow.

		- For twenty minutes at sunrise, the eastern side of the building is blindingly bright.

## See also

- [South Korea portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:South_Korea)

- [List of skyscrapers](/source/List_of_skyscrapers)

- [Korean architecture](/source/Korean_architecture)

- [Hyperion Tower](/source/Hyperion_Tower)

- [List of tallest buildings in Seoul](/source/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Seoul)

- [List of tallest buildings in South Korea](/source/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_South_Korea)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [http://skyscrapercenter.com/seoul/kli-63-building/891/](http://skyscrapercenter.com/seoul/kli-63-building/891/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140407133148/http://skyscrapercenter.com/seoul/kli-63-building/891/) April 7, 2014, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Entry for the KLI 63 Building on *The Skyscraper Center* (database).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["KLI 63 Building"](https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/kli-63-building/891). *Skyscraper Center*. CTBUH. Retrieved December 14, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [63스퀘어](http://www.63art.co.kr/home/63ART/eng/util/square.do). *www.63art.co.kr* (in Korean). Retrieved June 1, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Mok-dong Hyperion Towers, Seoul"](http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=4301). SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved March 10, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["DLI 63 Building, Seoul - SkyscraperPage.com"](http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=1610). *skyscraperpage.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [63빌딩](http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=46048).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [63 Building](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:63_Building).

- [Official English-language website](http://www.63.co.kr/en/)

- [63City: Seoul Convention Bureau](https://web.archive.org/web/20151125172233/http://www.miceseoul.com/venue-finder/unique/63City-42.html)

v t e Skidmore, Owings & Merrill List of works U.S. works California One Front Street One Bush Plaza One Maritime Plaza One Montgomery Tower One Wilshire 10 Universal City Plaza 45 Fremont Street 50 Beale Street 88 Kearny Street 100 First Plaza 101 Second Street 123 Mission Street 333 Bush Street 345 California Center 350 Mission Street 388 Market Street 425 Market Street 505 Montgomery Street 555 California Street 595 Market Street 650 California Street Cathedral of Christ the Light Crocker Galleria EY Plaza Fairmont Plaza Gas Company Tower Kaiser Engineering Building Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall Oakland Coliseum Ordway Building Salesforce West St. Regis Museum Tower Tiffany Building Treasure Island Development Symphony Towers Connecticut Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library City Place I Goodwin Square Stamford Cone Hartford Plaza Colorado 17th Street Plaza 555 17th Street 1125 17th Street Denver Energy Center Denver Union Station Republic Plaza United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel United States Air Force Academy, Cadet Area Florida 200 South Orange Fort Lauderdale station MiamiCentral Southeast Financial Center West Palm Beach station Georgia Equitable Building Georgia-Pacific Tower Tower Square Illinois One Magnificent Mile 200 West Madison 321 North Clark 350 North Orleans 425 South Financial Place 875 North Michigan Avenue Axis Apartments Chicago Place Equitable Building Franklin Center Harris Bank Addition II Heller International Building Illinois Institute of Technology Academic Campus Inland Steel Building NBC Tower Olympia Centre Plaza on DeWitt Regenstein Library Three First National Plaza Trump International Hotel and Tower Willis Tower Indiana Fort Wayne Museum of Art OneAmerica Tower The Republic Newspaper Office Louisiana 400 Poydras Tower 1010 Common 1515 Poydras Hancock Whitney Center Pan American Life Center Massachusetts One Beacon Street 60 State Street 75 State Street Michigan Ford World Headquarters Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Renaissance Center Minnesota 33 South Sixth 50 South Sixth Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis City Center Town Square U.S. Bank Plaza New York One Court Square One Liberty Plaza One Manhattan West One North End Avenue One Worldwide Plaza One World Trade Center 7 World Trade Center 28 Liberty Street 101 Warren Street 140 Broadway 252 East 57th Street 270 Park Avenue 383 Madison Avenue 450 Lexington Avenue 461 Fifth Avenue 500 Park Avenue 919 Third Avenue 1166 Avenue of the Americas 1540 Broadway Buffalo AKG Art Museum Deutsche Bank Center The Eugene Five Star Bank Plaza Islamic Cultural Center of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice Lever House Manhattan House Manhattan West Manufacturers Trust Company Building Mount Sinai West Moynihan Train Hall Olympic Tower Park Loggia Queens Place Mall Random House Tower Mount Sinai Morningside Seneca One Tower Skyscraper Museum Solow Building Texaco Headquarters Times Square Tower Tower 49 W. R. Grace Building Ohio 1100 Superior AECOM Building Eaton Center Huntington Center Preston Centre Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum Terrace Plaza Hotel Oregon Autzen Stadium Congress Center Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt Federal Building Hilton Portland Hotel PNC Center One Main Place PacWest Center Standard Plaza Standard Insurance Center U.S. Bancorp Tower Veterans Affairs Medical Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum Texas Bank of America Plaza Chase Tower El Paso Energy Building Enterprise Plaza Moody Performance Hall Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum One City Centre One Main Place One Shell Plaza San Felipe Plaza Wells Fargo Plaza Westlake Park Virginia Dulles International Airport Main Terminal Fairfax Square Icon Norfolk National Museum of the United States Army Reynolds Metals Company International Headquarters Washington, D.C. 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue 1310 G Street 1625 Eye Street Connecticut Connection Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Wisconsin Associated Bank River Center U.S. Bank Center University Club Tower Other states 222 Main (Utah) 250 West Pratt Street (Maryland) 1201 North Market Street (Delaware) 1201 Pacific (Washington) 3300 North Central Avenue (Arizona) American Republic Insurance Company Headquarters Building (Iowa) BMA Tower (Missouri) City Center Square (Missouri) Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii) Norton Building (Washington) PNC Bank Building (Pennsylvania) RDO Building (North Dakota) Shipt Tower (Alabama) William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower (Tennessee) Non-U.S. works Canada Bell Tower Brookfield Place Embassy of the United States, Ottawa Minto Midtown Oxford Tower Richardson Building TD Tower Telus Tower China and Hong Kong AIA Central AVIC Plaza Binhai railway station China Merchants Tower China World Trade Center Tower III Greenland Hangzhou Center Hangzhou Wangchao Center Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Jin Mao Tower Pearl River Tower Poly Pazhou Shum Yip Upperhills Tower 1 Tianjin Kerry Centre Tianjin World Financial Center White Magnolia Plaza Zifeng Tower Philippines AIA Tower ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower Ayala Tower One Luna Gardens One Roxas Triangle PBCom Tower Petron Megaplaza RCBC Plaza Rizal Tower The World Centre Zuellig Building Singapore Changi Airport MRT station Guoco Tower One George Street South Korea 63 Building ASEM Tower Busan Lotte Town Tower GS Tower Haeundae LCT The Sharp Samsung Tower Palace 3 – Tower G UAE Burj Khalifa Cayan Tower Rolex Tower UK 5 Canada Square 20 Bank Street 20 Canada Square 25 Cabot Square 100 Leadenhall Baltimore Tower Broadgate Tower Charrington Tower Chronicle Tower Manhattan Loft Gardens Pan Peninsula Other countries Al Hamra Tower (Kuwait) AMP Square (Australia) Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) Carlton Centre (South Africa) Carlton Hotel (South Africa) Esentai Tower (Kazakhstan) Istanbul Tower 205 (Turkey) Karlatornet (Sweden) Matitone (Italy) MEO Arena (Portugal) Midtown Tower (Japan) Milan Olympic Village (Italy) Pertamina Energy Tower (Indonesia) Rama IX Super Tower (Thailand) Rondo 1 (Poland) Sofitel Sydney Wentworth (Australia) Tokyo Midtown (Japan) Torre Paradox (Mexico) Proposed or unbuilt 250 Water Street 400 Lake Shore Lopez Center Seoul Lite People Founders Louis Skidmore Nathaniel A. Owings John O. Merrill Other figures Davis Allen William F. Baker Gordon Bunshaft Nir Buras Vishaan Chakrabarti David Childs Julie Christensen Natalie de Blois Roger Duffy George J. Efstathiou Myron Goldsmith T. J. Gottesdiener Bruce Graham Gary Haney Daniel Inocente Fazlur Rahman Khan André Richardson King Vincent Kling Margaret McCurry Gyo Obata Mark Sarkisian Adrian Smith Randall Stout Marilyn Jordan Taylor Margo Grant Walsh See also: SOM Foundation

v t e Skyscrapers in Seoul Completed 63 Building ASEM Tower Boutique Monaco FKI Tower Gangnam Finance Center GS Tower Hyperion Tower International Finance Center Seoul Jongno Tower Lotte World Tower Parc1 Parnas Tower Raemian Caelitus Samsung Tower Palace Samsung Town Seocho Garak Tower East Trade Tower Under construction Hyundai Global Business Center

v t e Hanwha Affiliates Aerospace Galleria Department Store Life Insurance Ocean Philly Shipyard Qcells Solutions Total Vision Related 63 Building Hanwha Eagles Hanwha Life Esports People Kim Chong-hee Kim Seung-yeon

Authority control databases: Geographic Structurae

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [63 Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63_Building) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63_Building?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.