Ximending Red House Introduction
Ximen Red House was built in 1908 by Japanese architect Juro Kondo. It consists of an octagonal building and a cross-shaped building and is the first officially constructed public market in Taiwan. It is also the oldest well-preserved third-class historic building in Taiwan. The octagonal building features a "bagua" (aar) design to symbolize the gathering of people from all directions as its entrance, while the cross-shaped building serves as the main structure. Together with the adjacent North and South squares, it is collectively referred to as "Ximen Red House." Over the years, Ximen Red House has transformed through various roles such as a market, bookstore, cinema, and theater. Since 2007, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taipei City Government has commissioned the Taipei Cultural Foundation to manage its operations, promoting it as a cultural and creative platform aimed at revitalizing the development of the Ximending area. After more than ten years of operation, it has gradually accumulated cultural and creative energy, shaping it into an iconic cultural and artistic venue not only in Taipei City but in Taiwan as a whole. The first floor of the octagonal building features integrated exhibitions, dining, and retail spaces, including the "Red House Tea House" for tea appreciation and relaxation, and "Red House Selection" for curated Taiwanese-style goods. The second floor houses the quaint and stylish professional performance venue, "2nd Floor Theatre." The cross-shaped building consists of the "Riverside Live Ximen Red House Performance Hall" that promotes the development of small-scale cultural and creative industries, as well as the exhibition and sales space "16 Workshop." The North and South squares host various multicultural experiential activities, including guided tours of fixed exhibits, creative talks, and hands-on workshops. Every weekend, there are also creative markets and irregular exhibitions in the central exhibition area.
