The appearance of the Daejeon Metropolitan Government Building in the 1950s (left) and its current appearance    (C) City of Daejeon

DAEJEON – The city of Daejeon has officially unveiled its blueprint to breathe new life into its historic first City Hall. On December 17, 2025, at Commons Field Daejeon, municipal officials and architects held a public briefing titled "Meeting Again: The First Daejeon City Hall," detailing the building’s transformation into a cultural landmark named Sigong-hoedang (Hall of Time and Space).

A Monument to Resilience and Identity

Built in 1937, the structure has served as a silent witness to the most turbulent chapters of Korean history. Originally established as the Daejeon Public Hall, it became the Daejeon-bu Office in 1942. Following the liberation of Korea and the subsequent Korean War, it functioned as the U.S. Military Government Office and later housed the Daejeon Chamber of Commerce and a youth cultural center.

Despite its architectural significance—featuring a transitional style between Modernism and Art Deco—the building faced decades of neglect after being sold to the private sector in 1972. It narrowly escaped demolition in 2022 when a plan to build a high-rise officetel on the site was proposed. Recognizing its irreplaceable value, the Daejeon Metropolitan Government purchased the building for 43.2 billion KRW last year to preserve it as a public asset.

The Vision: Connecting Generations

The restoration project is led by Choi Young-hee (Ain Group Architects) and Kim Ji-hyun (JI Architects), winners of the design competition. Their vision focuses on "layering time," ensuring that the building’s original 1930s character is preserved while integrating modern public functions.

"Sigong-hoedang is a project that molds the traces of time into a physical space," said Architect Choi Young-hee. "Beyond simple renovation, this is an endeavor to link the city’s memories with the lives of citizens today."

The restoration will include:

Structural Recovery: Removing modern additions to reveal the original facade and interior layout.
Community Revival: Re-establishing the building’s role as a "community hub" where citizens can gather for arts, culture, and social discourse.
Sustainable Utility: Implementing modern safety standards while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the heritage site.

Future Outlook

The city aims to complete the primary restoration and interior remodeling by the end of 2026. This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize Daejeon’s original downtown area (Jung-gu), transforming it into a district where history and urban innovation coexist.

Jeon Il-hong, Director of the City’s Culture, Arts, and Tourism Bureau, emphasized the importance of public participation. "Following the removal of interior finishes in April, we have made it a priority to share every step of this journey with our citizens. We will continue to listen to public feedback to ensure this space truly belongs to the people."

Once completed, Sigong-hoedang is expected to stand as a premier example of adaptive reuse, proving that architectural heritage can serve as a catalyst for future urban growth rather than an obstacle to it.

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