"Warehouse-style store in an officetel commercial complex?"… Concerns over nearby 'parking difficulties'
The fact that Costco Korea's (Costco) Pyeongtaek branch, opening on the 12th, is located in an officetel commercial complex was revealed late, leading some netizens to express concerns over 'parking difficulties.'
Recently, several online communities have seen posts titled "Costco located in an apartment commercial complex ㄷㄷ."
The post included an aerial view of the Pyeongtaek Costco located beneath an officetel.
As a result, some netizens who have experienced parking difficulties at regular Costco locations began to worry about a 'parking hell' at this particular site, where they will have to share parking with residents.
The Costco Pyeongtaek branch is situated in the 'Pyeongtaek Godeok I-Park 2nd' complex, which features 1,480 one-room and two-room units.
The total parking capacity of this officetel is 2,450 spaces, but the number of parking spots allowed for Costco visitors remains uncertain.
In such cases, it is likely that a separate parking lot for residents will be operated.
Promoters of this location are advertising that the total parking capacity can accommodate 1.65 spaces per household when divided across all units.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Costco has opened under residential complexes such as officetels.
The Costco Gocheok branch, which opened in 2022 in Guro-gu, Seoul, is also located beneath a mixed-use apartment complex, just like the Pyeongtaek branch.
It is known that this location has separate parking areas for residents of the apartments and for customers visiting Costco to reduce parking difficulties.
Upon hearing this news, netizens reacted with comments such as "Traffic congestion is scarier than parking difficulties," "The road is already congested, this is a big deal," "I can just wear slippers to Costco," and "I’ll get my money's worth from the membership."
Image sources: Screenshot from Costco's official website, Costco Pyeongtaek branch / Naver Street View, citizens visiting Costco in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, last July 2024 / News1
