The 63 Building's construction broke ground in February 1980, at the height of South Korea's economic boom.

It was the tallest building in the world when excluding North America, beating the Sunshine 60 building in Tokyo, Japan at the time of its completion, before the OUB centre was built in Singapore in 1987 and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong in 1990.

During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the torch was lit at the Bonghwadae in front of the 63 Building, and it became famous around the world.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival began in 2000 and was canceled in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, and the event dates were adjusted in consideration of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

[citation needed] A total of 13,944 exterior wall glass sheets were completely replaced during the second phase of construction, especially for safety purpose.

The 60th floor houses the world's highest art gallery and an observation deck known as the 63 Golden Tower, that allows visitors to see as far as Incheon on clear days.

The lower floors house an indoor shopping mall with approximately 90 stores, an IMAX theater, and a large aquarium.