Shinsegae opens new cultural landmark 'The Heritage' in Seoul

It restored a 90-year-old building.

Shinsegae Department Store has unveiled The Heritage, a cultural and retail destination housed within a 90-year-old historic building in Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts.

The launch marks a major milestone for Shinsegae, which transformed the former Bank of Korea warehouse—designated Seoul’s 71st tangible cultural property—into a cultural complex that merges Korean heritage with modern luxury.

The restoration, which took over a decade, preserved key architectural features including original plaster ceiling motifs shaped like flowers whilst integrating modern design elements, including a curtain wall inspired by The Morgan Library & Museum in NYC.

The five-storey space includes the ‘House of Shinsegae Heritage’ on the top floor, showcasing traditional Korean crafts. A museum on the fourth floor displays historical artefacts and photographs from Myeong-dong’s 1930s-1950s. The first and second floors feature a CHANEL boutique designed by Peter Marino, marking the first luxury brand in a heritage-listed building in South Korea.

Established in 1963, Shinsegae was the country’s first department store and has long been a bellwether of Korean retail trends. It continues to lead the market alongside global names such as Harrods in the UK and Isetan in Japan.