Taichung City Hall Introduction
Taichung City Hall was built during the Japanese colonial period in 1911 (Meiji 44), featuring a Western classical architectural style, renowned for its characteristic red and white brick walls in the Chenshi style, and is the first reinforced concrete building in the Taichung area. Initially, it served as the office of the Taichung Public Irrigation Association and the Taichung City administrative office, and it has also functioned as a municipal data museum, a newsroom, and office space for the Transportation Bureau. It is a famous landmark and a historical symbol of the city, officially designated as a historical building in 2002. The architecture of the City Hall imitates Baroque style, classified as a large modern government building, with an emphasis on expressive forms at the openings, numerous variations in doors and windows, and meticulous decorations. The main entrance features a two-story portico of Ionic columns, a typical Greek design, with a façade of plaster finishes and keystones, complemented by gable decorations with medallions. The stunning classical dome, composed of eight wooden truss assemblies, is not only visually striking but also one of the few wooden domes from the same period in Taiwan, surrounded by circular skylights. This building combines brick, wood, reinforced concrete, and steel structures, making it a classic example of the architectural techniques of the Japanese occupation period. In 2004, the investigation, research, and restoration plan for Taichung City Hall were completed, with the restoration finished in 2016. The Cultural Affairs Bureau subsequently commissioned private firms to operate it, and management rights were acquired by Hao Yisi Co., Ltd. The first floor, "Yao Yisi Art Space," hosts planned thematic permanent exhibitions and features a shared reading space, local industry displays, and experience workshops for human aesthetics and crafts. The second floor Italian restaurant "Narratore" specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, led by chef Lance Lin, who previously worked at a Michelin one-star restaurant in Italy. The expectation is for Taichung City Hall to become a gathering place for cultural and artistic energy in the west district of Taichung, bridging the gap between the public and historical culture, stimulating local economic vitality, and becoming a representative historical cultural building in Taichung. Opening hours: 1F "Yao Yisi" Art Space: Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM; 2F "Narratore" Italian Restaurant: Wednesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
