Seoul's 'spaceship' landmark

Known for her futuristic, spaceship-like work, "starchitect" Zaha Hadid is behind the design of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul's newest landmark.

The new multipurpose cultural center will host various events and exhibitions throughout the year and remain open 24 hours to accommodate nighttime tourists. The Dongdaemun district is famous for late-night shopping.

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza cost $451 million and took five years to complete.

Covering 85,000 square meters, the building includes a design museum, library and educational facilities.

The plaza's first major event is Seoul Fashion Week. Running through March 26, a total of 81 fashion shows will be presented, primarily featuring the work of South Korean designers.

Alongside Seoul Fashion Week, eight different exhibitions showcasing art, architecture and national treasures are being shown at DDP. In honor of the grand opening, admission to all exhibitions is free during the month of March.

Upcoming shows include a Chanel fashion show in fall 2014 and a motor show later in the year.

The building has no official front or back door -- instead it has a total of 42 different entrances.

• Zaha Hadid designed new $451 million Seoul landmark


• Dongdaemun Design Plaza will be open 24 hours in trendy shopping district


• Seoul Fashion Week is the DDP's first major event


• In honor of grand opening, admission to all DDP exhibitions are free in March

(CNN) -- In yet another display of the city's commitment to 24-hour culture, Seoul is unveiling its biggest nighttime attraction yet in the neon-studded, wildly trendy shopping district of Dongdaemun.

Designed by Iraqi-British Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid, and completed at a cost of $451 million, the new Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) opens to the public March 21.

Commissioned by the Seoul metropolitan government, the plaza features futuristic, spaceship-like curves characteristic of Hadid's previous work -- she's also the woman behind the radical design of the national stadium set for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

DDP will host concerts, conventions and other major events throughout the year.

But the first order of business for Seoul's newest landmark and multipurpose cultural center is to kick off 2014 F/W Seoul Fashion Week.

Running through March 26, Seoul Fashion Week will feature 81 fashion shows by South Korean designers, as well as Blueprint, a trade show from Singapore's Fashion Week.

MORE: Introducing Seoul's new $230 million art museum

District makeover

The new building and its adjacent park replace an outdated stadium that had long been an eyesore in an increasingly trendy neighborhood.

With most malls in the area open until 5 a.m. (some are open 24 hours), Dongdaemun ("East Gate") is usually flooded with shoppers, especially at night.

The new plaza will be open 24 hours.

Architecture and exhibitions

Construction on the 85,000-square-meter structure began in 2007 and was completed in 2013.

Exhibition spaces are spread over four floors and three underground levels.

The building also houses a museum, a design lab and an art hall.

National treasures and paintings, along with a design exhibition of Zaha Hadid's works, will be shown in eight different exhibitions on site.

In honor of the grand opening, admission is free throughout the month of March.

Seoul Fashion Week operates separately from the eight exhibitions.

As part of Seoul's push to showcase its new icon, City Tour buses and airport buses now directly service the DDP.

Beginning April 1, the admission fee to see all exhibitions will be ₩8,000 ($7).

Dongdaemun Design Plaza , Euljiro 7-ga Jung-gu, Seoul; open 24 hours

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