Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the second Lotte World building to emerge in the area, opened on April 3, 2017. Standing at a height of 554.5 meters, as of 2022, it is the tallest building in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world. Among OECD countries, it boasts the tallest structure. Currently, the building serves as the headquarters for Lotte Group in Korea.
“A New Landmark Representing South Korea Beyond Seoul”
Lotte World Tower, along with the 63 Building in Yeouido and N Seoul Tower on Namsan, is a prominent skyscraper representing Seoul, and it is also considered a landmark. Lotte World Tower has solidified its position as a landmark representing South Korea, reaching beyond the boundaries of Seoul.
“The Observatory of Lotte World Tower: Seoul Sky”
The top floors of Lotte World Tower, specifically the 117th and 123rd floors, house an observatory named Seoul Sky. This observatory ranks as the fourth tallest in the world.
While some may consider the entrance fee to the observatory at 27,000 KRW per person relatively high, in a global context, it is not considered excessively expensive given South Korea’s income level and cost of living. However, due to the relatively high price for an observatory, some may find it burdensome.
“The Free Observatory on the 31st Floor of Lotte World Tower, ‘Sky 31′”
The 31st floor of Lotte World Tower houses a convention center, restaurants, and café space known as ‘SKY 31’. Originally created for the employees of Lotte World Tower, this space hosts various dining options and cafes. Although initially designed as a place for Lotte World Tower employees to take a break during lunchtime or a mid-day rest, it is also open to the public.
However, entrance is only allowed after 6 PM on weekdays and from 11:30 AM on weekends. The operating hours are until 10 PM, with the last entry at 9 PM, so it’s advisable to keep these times in mind.
Although this space was originally intended for dining and cafes rather than an observatory, it is located on the 31st floor, providing a panoramic view of Seoul. One significant advantage is that entry is free.
“Equivalent to around the 50th to 60th floor in a standard building…”
While ‘SKY 31’ on the 31st floor of Lotte World Tower is considered as such based on the building itself, in terms of a typical building, it would be equivalent to around the 50th to 60th floor. The building is designed with each floor having a relatively high ceiling, resulting in spacious intervals between floors. This means that even by going up to the 31st floor, you can enjoy a view of Seoul from a considerably high vantage point.
In particular, you can enjoy a view of the Han River, and on clear days, you can also see “N Seoul Tower,” another landmark of Seoul, which can be observed from Lotte World Tower. (Conversely, you can also see Lotte World Tower from N Seoul Tower.)
“Spacious and Abundant Seating Provided”
There are several restaurants, and due to the originally intended purpose of providing a resting area for employees, you can find plenty of seats and tables.
This means that for those who enjoy working in cafes, visiting here might be even better than going to a typical cafe. On weekends, major places in Seoul are always crowded, and cafes are also often full, making it challenging to secure a seat. In contrast, it’s relatively rare to see all seats occupied here. Furthermore, the seating is arranged in a food court-style layout, allowing for a high degree of freedom in choosing where to sit.
Additionally, thanks to the good view and high ceilings, it’s possible to work without feeling cramped, which is another advantage. Personally, it’s a place I highly prefer when working. The only downside is that, during weekday working hours, entry is only allowed after 6 PM, which can be a bit disappointing.
“Relatively Pricy Restaurants”
Of course, there are some drawbacks. The restaurants in ‘SKY 31’ at Lotte World Tower tend to be on the pricier side. The food is expensive, and the portion sizes are relatively small, which can be a bit challenging for big eaters.
Currently, here is a list of establishments you can find in ‘SKY 31’:
- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts & Coffee
- 7-Eleven Signature
- Sodam Bansang
- Osak Myeonjeon
- Hoho Katsu
- Villa de Charlotte
- Hanspoon
- Burger Lab by Lotteria
- Angel-in-us
“How to Enter ‘SKY 31’ at Lotte World Tower”
To enter ‘SKY 31’ at Lotte World Tower, you need to obtain a visitor pass. You can get the pass by telling the staff at the booth on the 1st floor your “number of visitors, names, and contact information.”
With the pass in hand, proceed to the C-gate. When you tag the gate upon entry, the door will open. Afterward, you need to take the elevator. Pressing “31st floor” on the touch screen will indicate which elevator to take. From there, you can ascend to the 31st floor.
While not an official observatory, you can still enjoy the view from a reasonably high place. Whether ordering coffee at the cafe and spending leisurely time or working while enjoying the view, it’s a versatile space that serves multiple purposes and can be considered a hidden treasure in Jamsil.
“Seoul Jamsil, Sky 31 Food Avenue”
- Address: 31st Floor, Lotte World Tower, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, (Sat-Sun) 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last entry at 9:00 PM)