63 Building: (Formerly) The Tallest Building in Korea
Updated: Jan 18, 2025
Name: 63 building
Architect/Designer: N/A
Date: February, 1980
Materials: All steel, concrete, aluminum, and gold tinted glass
Locations: Yeouido-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Imagine standing before a building so tall that its summit seems to vanish into the sky, a feat of architecture stretching toward infinity. The 63 Building in Seoul is just that: an iconic landmark whose gleaming gold facade captures attention and awe alike. In the 1980s, constructing a skyscraper over 50 stories high was virtually unimaginable, yet South Korea boldly made it happen. When it was completed in 1985, the 63 Building was the tallest skyscraper outside North America and the world’s tallest gold-plated building. It held the title of Korea’s tallest structure until 2002 and remains a beloved symbol of Seoul’s skyline today.
Named for its impressive 63 floors (60 above 3 below), this building is known to every Korean. Young or old, local or visitor, nearly everyone has heard of the 63 Building. Its construction was a defining achievement in Korean architecture, shaking the city’s skyline with its towering presence and shimmering gold exterior. Starting from the tallest building it showed its real fame from 1988 after the Olympics held in South Korea. Standing tall is the pride of all Koreans. In its early days, the 63 Building attracted many prominent insurance and financial companies. Over time, it transformed into a multi-functional hub, with a movie theater, restaurants, a shopping mall, an aquarium, an art gallery, and a performance hall, making it a vibrant space for both residents and tourists. Today, it’s a cherished landmark where the Seoul International Fireworks Festival lights up the skies each year, right at the building’s doorstep.
The building’s frame is primarily steel, with some concrete used for floors and structural components, and aluminum frames holding glass panes coated in a thin layer of real gold dust. This innovative use of materials created a striking visual effect, with sunlight reflecting off the gold-tinted glass and casting a warm glow across the cityscape. With its prestigious exterior and the diverse range of activities and companies this building stands out as truly one of a kind.
For decades, the 63 Building has stood tall, evolving with Seoul but never losing its significance. It’s more than just a skyscraper; it’s a symbol of Korean pride, resilience, and the ambition that helped shape a modern time. I chose to research about this topic because after the construction of Lotte tower this building has been starting to fall through the void. I am writing this essay in hopes that the 63 Building will never be forgotten and holds its place as the landmark to Korea’s capital.
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