In 2001, soon after the American development firm Gale International partnered with Korea’s POSCO E&C and Incheon Metropolitan City to plan a new urban business district near South Korea’s major airport, the Songdo International Business District (SIBD) became the largest Korean–U.S. joint real estate venture in history.
The $35 billion development, now almost fully operational and approaching its planned completion, sits on 1,500 acres of reclaimed land along the Incheon waterfront. Located about an hour from Seoul and just 20 minutes from Incheon International Airport, Songdo is recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable urban districts and has one of the highest concentrations of LEED-certified buildings globally. When construction began it was often called “The City of Tomorrow.” With its modern glass towers, luxury hotels, high-speed internet infrastructure, underground waste-disposal tunnels and abundant green space, the district has largely realized that vision.
For business travelers, Songdo’s proximity to an efficient global hub is a major advantage. A short taxi ride across the Incheon Bridge connects Yeongjong Island—home to the airport—with Songdo’s commercial core. Ongoing developments around the airport further strengthen the area’s appeal. For example, plans announced for a large integrated resort include a three-tower luxury hotel with 1,350 rooms, diverse retail and dining options, an entertainment arena, amusement facilities, a substantial casino floor and a private jet terminal linked directly to the resort. This first phase was slated to open in 2020.
Songdo’s master plan includes schools, hospitals, parks, bike paths and cultural venues. Central Park, at the heart of the district, spans roughly 100 acres and features a manmade waterway filled with seawater and Venice-style water taxis that add a distinctive touch to the landscape.
With 106 buildings and some 22 million square feet of LEED-certified space, Songdo accounts for a large share of South Korea’s certified sustainable floor area. The district includes several regional firsts: the Sheraton Grand Incheon as Korea’s first LEED-certified hotel, Central Park 1 as the first residential tower of its kind, and Songdo Convensia as the first LEED-certified convention center in Asia. The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea anchors Songdo’s green space program, offering an 18-hole championship course and a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Incheon Metropolitan City Museum Compact Smart City, where visitors can learn about Incheon’s past, present and future © INCHEON TOURISM ORGANIZATION
Many of Incheon’s upscale international hotels are located within Songdo, making it convenient for business visitors to combine work and recreation. Start the day with a jog in Central Park or a workout at the Sheraton Grand Incheon’s fitness center, which includes a sauna and indoor pool. The 319-room Sheraton also serves a reliable power breakfast at Feast, its all-day dining venue with open kitchens, cooking stations, a large buffet and private dining options—ideal for early meetings with colleagues or clients.
Continue meetings in one of the Sheraton’s 17 technology-equipped function rooms, or attend a trade show at Songdo Convensia. This modern, five-story convention center provides approximately 581,000 square feet of flexible event space, room for hundreds of exhibitor booths, and meeting rooms fitted with wireless internet, voice-operated cameras and LCD projectors.
For business lunches, the Oak restaurant on the 36th floor of the Oakwood Premier offers a broad menu of Korean and international dishes paired with sweeping views. Another refined option is Gyeongwonjae Ambassador, part of the Accor group, where the Sura restaurant serves high-quality Korean cuisine in a setting that blends traditional décor and contemporary service. Both venues are well suited for quiet, productive meals and typically require reservations.
For a more casual or adventurous outing, consider Dae-Wang Grilled Shellfish & Seafood Soup on Wolmido, a nearby island connected to Incheon by a new road. About a 25–30 minute taxi ride from Songdo, Wolmido is known for fresh grilled shellfish and kalguksu, a comforting noodle soup, along with views of the West Sea.
In the afternoon, visit the Tri-Bowl, one of Incheon’s most striking architectural landmarks. The structure appears as an inverted bowl with three supports floating above an artificial pond. Clad in aluminum, it catches sunlight by day and is dramatically lit at night. The Tri-Bowl houses a performance hall and flexible exhibition space used for concerts, shows and cultural events.
Golf remains a popular business pastime in Korea. If your counterparts prefer to discuss business on the course, schedule a tee time at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. If weather disrupts plans, the club’s clubhouse, banquet hall and garden villa provide attractive alternatives for meetings, and the on-site restaurant and bar offer relaxed spaces for conversation.
While the Incheon region is not a wine-producing area, Songdo offers several quality bars and restaurants with good wine lists and light snacks for evening relaxation. The Thirsty Monk in the Orakai Songdo Park Hotel, near Central Park, is a cozy pub known for its Western-style menu and a strong selection of European wines and draft beers. Other options include Serendip, an Italian restaurant and wine bar located in NC Cube Mall Canal Walk, and La Vista, a French restaurant in the older part of Songdo that features a second-floor wine bar with a curated wine list and appetizers—each offering a pleasant end to a productive day.