Tag Archive for Songdo Central Park

Cruising Together: Gale International and POSCO E&C

August 17, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on Cruising Together: Gale International and POSCO E&C

Whale-sculptureBy Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

On my recent trip to Songdo IBD, I attended and participated in a number of events. The unveiling of the Gale International–POSCO E&C  whales’ statue was memorable. It commemorates the strong partnership between NYC-based Gale International and Korea-based POSCO E & C.  Among the Korean and American VIPs and officials on hand at the unveiling were a number of Gale International chairman Stan Gale’s family, friends, and long time business colleagues–many in Korea for the first time. Gale noted in his speech the importance of family and building strong long lasting ties–stressing his family’s long business roots. Moreover, Gale stressed the strong bond between America and Korea, and Gale International and its partner POSCO. Significantly, the statue’s whales showcase both Gale and POSCO maritime roots.

Some details…
Huntington, NY… August 13, 2009… What is a familiar image to residents of Long Island’s North Shore—the Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty whale logo, is getting a whole new audience in the Far East.

A commemorative statue, “Cruising Together,” depicting two whales spanning the globe, has been installed in South Korea’s Songdo International Business District, an emerging urban center developed by Gale International and POSCO E & C. Stanley C. Gale, grandson of the founder of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, is the Chairman of Gale International.

The statue, which was installed in Songdo’s Central Park, is modeled after the first and current Daniel Gale Sotheby’s whale logos, and symbolizes the unique partnership and friendship Gale International and Posco E&C have achieved over the course of this project.

“The Gale family and its associated businesses, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty included, have a history of being at the forefront of new ideas and opportunities,” said Patricia Petersen, President and CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “This latest accomplishment reflects and honors that tradition, and presents another yet another unique opportunity for real estate buyers and investors around the world to be aware of what Long Island, and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, has to offer.”

The Songdo International Business District, roughly the size of downtown Boston, is being constructed on reclaimed land near Inchon, South Korea, an easy flight from China and other rapidly developing areas of Northeast Asia. Begun in 2002, Songdo represents a $35 billion city-within-a-city near Seoul’s international airport. It is one of the world’s largest commercial developments.

The statue, constructed of bronze, is 18 ft in length, 15.7 ft in width and 20 ft in height, and was made by Han Jeong-ho, Head of Soto Design Architect and Lee Young-song, a famous Korean artist.

Founded in 1922, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty consistently leads the nation in achieving one of the highest average sales prices in the country.

Songdo IBD Central Park’s Eco-friendly Canal

July 24, 2009 Uncategorized One comment

songdo_central_parkBy Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

At the heart of Songdo IBD is Central Park. Like New York City, the park will provide city dwellers with a wonderful haven.  (See Chris Steiner’s $20 Per Gallon for his thoughts on Songdo IBD’s Central Park, too)

Korea Times notes.

The Songdo Central Park, located in the newly built city 30 kilometer west of Seoul, has begun filling its canal with 85,500 tons of seawater, Gale International Korea, co-developer of the city, said in an emailed statement yesterday.

The seawater is purified through a double filter and will prevent canal from freezing in the winter. The method will enable water taxis to operate year around, it added.

A 1.8-kilometer-long canal that run through the 100 acre park in the heart of the international business district is deisnged to incorporate many environmentally sustainable benefits in Korea, according to the U.S.-based developer. To maintain the water quality, the canal will be refreshed every 24 hours,

New Book, $20 Per Gallon, Lauds Songdo IBD and Gale International

July 18, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on New Book, $20 Per Gallon, Lauds Songdo IBD and Gale International

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By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

I shared with a longtime friend and well-known Denver-based entrepreneur Stephen Oliver that over the past several years, I’ve been so focused on Korea writing projects I rarely pick up a book for casual reading. Later that day, I was skimming new book reviews and came upon Christopher Steiner’s $20 Per Gallon How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better. My hope was to find a interesting book, then take some time to read and reflect.  Previewing the book online, I noticed the author lauded Songdo and the developer Gale International. How convenient!

After buying a copy and a giving the book a quick skim, I found that author Steiner sees New Songdo City (Songdo IBD) as a model for his future urban revolution. With quotes from Gale International CEO John Hynes III, $20 Per Gallon provide a nice overview on Songdo IBD interconnectedness, sustainability, and quality of living. The book is available at Amazon...

I am curious to the thoughts of Songdo IBD CityTalk readers on Steiner’s arguments and foresight.

Songdo IBD “Green”–Model for PlaNYC

March 4, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on Songdo IBD “Green”–Model for PlaNYC

Songdo IBD

By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

I was recently given the link to a Popular Science website article that discusses Songdo IBD with regard to its eco-friendly design and Green footprint. The article notes NYC is looking at international success models to cope with sustainability and Green issues.

POPSCI.com  notes…

Lean times call for green measures. Even before the cash crunch came to fruition, New York City was looking for ways to cut costs and bolster environment initiatives.

A brainchild of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, PlaNYC (pronounced plan-why-see) avoids the wait-and-see approach, in favor of a proactive checklist of what needs to happen to help the Big Apple adapt to a predicted influx of a million new residents by 2030. An exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York gets to the core of the proposed changes and looks to other cities for fixes that are more than skin-deep.

PlaNYC’s top goals include creating adequate housing, cleaning up contaminated lands (brownfields), updating the city’s energy infrastructure, reducing global warming emissions by 30 percent, and achieving the cleanest air in any American city.

You don’t have to be in midtown Manhattan to know those are lofty goals. Just take a look at the hazecam to check out the current soot situation.

Nonetheless, several international success stories have elements worth emulating.

Formerly laden with landfills and home to a major auto manufacturer’s biggest plant, Malmö, Sweden, is no longer a Saab city. An $85 million transformation ushered in the new Bo01neighborhood — and inventive ways of reusing refuse. Buses run on biogas made from organic waste, plastics of all sorts are recycled and renewable energy (mostly wind power) is the norm.

Singapore is no stranger to congestion. It’s not surprising that the Malaysian metropolis inaugurated its first congestion-pricing plan in 1975. (A similar plan in New York failed to pass in the City Council last year.) Traffic is down by 30 percent, even after a one-third increase in the number of workers streaming into the downtown area.

Sometimes the best solution is to start from scratch. New construction means new materials and more resources but it offers an opportunity to avoid old-school mistakes. In South Korea, 1,500-acres of reclaimed land are getting ready for a green-over. Forty minutes southwest of Seoul, Songdo City will be the world’s first international business zone based on Earth-friendly design. Forty percent of its footprint will be green space (as opposed to ten percent in New York City) and trash trucks will be a thing of the past: pneumatic tubes will whisk waste to processing facilities. To keep carbon emissions down, Korea’s urban green giant will pull from at least one New York City success story. Its 100-acre Central Park is modeled on New York’s verdant heart.

Full Throttle and Full Speed Ahead

December 14, 2008 general Comments Off on Full Throttle and Full Speed Ahead

 

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  By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger 

A key aspect of Songdo IBD CityTalk will be commentary, breaking news, and first-hand accounts of the Songdo IBD project. We will try to minimize re-cycling news on Songdo IBD, except when we feel it will promote dialogue. I begin with some commentary.

Full Throttle

Reflecting on my trip to Korea last week, I did see concerns on the economy. For one, firms and businesses are more reserved this year with their holiday decorations. My contacts in many of Korea’s top Groups feel there will be some downsizing and layoffs—the first in ten years. Despite the global economic downturn, some leaders see opportunity. Hyundai-Kia Motors Chairman Chung Mong Koo last week noted the need for the company to “go full throttle” at a time when some in the industry are in turmoil. Chung noted Hyundai-Kia would focus on small cars and Green technology. Hyundai vowed to provide decent jobs and help the national economy.

Songdo IBD Full Speed Ahead

What did stand out last week was the huge concern that foreign investors are pulling out of Korea. Interestingly, this is not so with Songdo IBD. In contrast, the project is moving forward as planned. For example, 2009 will see the completion of the 7.4 mile Incheon Bridge along with the 1st phase of the Songdo IBD, including the 100 acre Central Park and Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea. To me,  borrowing from the words of Chairman Stan Gale it looks like “ Full Speed Ahead,” for  Gale International and Songdo IBD.

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