Inside The Heritage: Shinsegae’s Historic Revival Redefining Luxury Retail in Seoul
Source: Shinsegae Department Store
Reported By: Matthew Kennedy
April 13, 2025 — In a city where modernity never stops humming, Shinsegae Department Store is inviting the world to slow down—and look back. Introducing The Heritage, Seoul’s new cultural landmark that transforms a century-old building into a living, breathing dialogue between Korea’s storied past and its fashion-forward present.
Located in Myeong-dong, one of Korea’s most storied commercial and cultural districts, The Heritage officially opened its doors on April 9 after more than a decade of careful restoration. Originally a 1930s bank and recognized as the 71st tangible cultural property of Seoul, the building has been reimagined with reverence for its historical integrity and an eye toward the future.
A Legacy, Reimagined
The space’s meticulous revival includes the painstaking recreation of every flower-shaped ceiling plaster—artistic details that speak to the craftsmanship of modern Korean architecture. A new curtain wall inspired by The Morgan Library & Museum in New York integrates contemporary transparency into the stately façade, creating a quiet but potent tension between tradition and innovation.
Within its walls, The Heritage unfolds as a curated journey through Korean culture, fashion, and design. The fifth floor’s House of Shinsegae Heritage welcomes visitors into a serene gallery of Korean craft art, showcasing refined pieces rooted in tradition yet interpreted through a modern lens. On the fourth floor, a museum offers a time capsule of archival photographs and artifacts, including digitized images of Myeong-dong in the 1930s and 1950s—a rare glimpse into Seoul’s urban evolution.
High Fashion, Grounded in History
Luxury, too, has found a home within this storied building. On the first and second floors, a CHANEL boutique designed by architect Peter Marino brings global fashion into direct conversation with Korean heritage. It marks the first time a luxury brand has been integrated into a designated cultural property in Korea—a deliberate blend of legacy and modernity that feels as natural as it is novel.
Shinsegae’s investment in The Heritage speaks to its longstanding role as a cultural steward as much as a retail pioneer. Founded in 1963 as Korea’s first department store, Shinsegae has consistently set the bar for lifestyle curation in Asia. From establishing the country’s first in-store art gallery to developing immersive public spaces like the media-façade-turned-Shinsegae Square, the brand continues to redefine what a department store can be.
A Global Invitation to Step Inside
With The Heritage, Shinsegae is offering something far beyond retail: a cultural touchstone, a moment of pause, and a beautifully layered experience that feels distinctly Korean—yet universally compelling. As Seoul cements its status on the global luxury map, this new landmark offers visitors a place to reflect, indulge, and connect with Korea’s richly textured identity.
The Heritage is now open to the public in Myeong-dong, Seoul. For global travelers and local residents alike, it is an invitation to walk through time—without ever leaving the center of the city.