Former British Consulate in Tamsui Introduction
Located on the east side of Fort San Domingo, the former British Consulate Residence is a western-style brick and arcade building, completely different from the castle style of Fort San Domingo. The brick structure of the consulate residence was designed by British architects and constructed by Chinese craftsmen using Chinese materials. The red brick building, arched corridors, slanted roofs, and high steps successfully showcase the characteristics of typical colonial architecture. The former British Consulate Residence is a two-story red brick Western-style building built by the British, known as "colonial architecture," commonly constructed by the British in East Asia and Southeast Asia during the mid-19th century for trade or colonial purposes. The South Gate serves as the main entrance, built from stone blocks sourced from Guanyin Mountain. The residence features a large lawn in front and has a distinctive two-story brick corridor style, reflecting the “bungalow” form popular in British colonies. It is a Victorian-style residence currently included in the Fort San Domingo Historic Site and classified as a Grade I historic monument. On the brick wall outside the main entrance, there are 12 brick carvings, including a rose symbolizing Britain, the "VR1891" emblem from the Victorian era, and Taiwan-style green-glazed flower vase railings, along with ancient coin-pattern stone-carved windows near the platform. The edges of the brick columns feature delicate curved finishes, and the designs of the column heads, shafts, and bases mimic the details of Greek stonework, showcasing advanced brickwork techniques. The 1860s marked a period of openness for Taiwan, with foreign merchants and missionaries landing, leading to the establishment of trading firms and consulates. This type of residence differs from European architecture, incorporating features like arcades designed for tropical climates. The surrounding arcades became a standard feature in Western-style buildings, symbolizing the arrival of Western influence from Singapore to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and up to Shanghai and Qingdao. The former British Consulate Residence was built between the 1860s and 70s and is one of the few remaining early Western-style buildings in East Asia, noted for its superior construction techniques and carefully selected materials. It still retains the original fire-resistant iron wave arch from the late 19th century, which is a precursor to the invention of reinforced concrete, holding significant academic research and appreciation value.
